Abstract: An optical pointing device includes a light source, a light beam splitter, an image sensor and a lens. The light source provides an illumination light beam. The light beam splitter is disposed on a transmission path of the illumination light beam and configured for splitting the illumination light beam into a first light beam and a second light beam. The image sensor is for sensing the first and the second light beams. The lens is disposed before the image sensor. When the optical pointing device is put on a reflective surface, the first light beam is reflected to the lens by the reflective surface and then is focused on the image sensor. When the optical pointing device is put on a transparent body disposed on the reflective surface, the second light beam is reflected to the lens by the reflective surface and then is focused on the image sensor.

Abstract: A power saving method for a motion estimation device which has a fixed sampling period and includes a light source illuminating with an adjustable emitting cycle to provide the needed light for the motion estimation device during capturing images. The power saving method includes: capturing a first image at a first time; capturing a second image at a second time, wherein a time interval between the first time and the second time is identical to one emitting cycle which is an integral multiple of the sampling period; comparing the first image and the second image to obtain a displacement; comparing the displacement with at least one threshold value; and adjusting the emitting cycle of the light source according to a comparison result of comparing the displacement and the threshold value. The present invention further provides a motion estimation device.

Abstract: A user input device includes one or more user controls that enable a user to selectively imports bits of data by activating the control when the user input devices proximate to a display surface of an interactive display system. By depressing or otherwise activating a user control, the user causes an element within the user input device to move through a plane of change so that the state of a parameter sensed by the interactive display system changes and is detected. In the examples provided, the parameter relates to infrared light that is reflected or absorbed or produced by a component of the user input device and is thus detected by an infrared sensitive camera. The input can be a single bit, or comprise a plurality of bits corresponding to a specific pattern.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to an optical navigation device. The device includes a lead frame having reference features, a laser, a detector array, and an optical component having alignment features. The laser is attached to the lead frame and positioned in reference to the reference features of the lead frame. The detector array is attached to the lead frame and positioned in reference to the reference features of the lead frame. The optical component is coupled to the lead frame so that its alignment features register to the reference features of the lead frame. In this way, the molded optical component is passively aligned to the laser and the detector array. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary system for measuring operational life of a computer mouse is disclosed. The system includes a computer (10), a servo controller (14), an X servo axis (12), a Y servo axis (13), and a measurement platform (16). The computer includes a file module (20), a setting module (21), and a performing module (22). The file module is configured for creating a new file for the computer mouse. The setting module is configured for setting running tasks for the computer mouse. The performing module is configured for signaling the computer to send an instruction to the servo controller, making the servo controller process the instruction and send a control signal to the X servo axis and the Y servo axis respectively, and making the X servo axis and the Y servo axis drive the computer mouse to move according to the running tasks. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses an interactive sequential system to input letters of the English alphabet and of many world languages, numbers, punctuation marks and many other symbols on keypads with few buttons. The invention includes a device for receiving input characters from a user, having a keypad with a plurality of keys arranged in rows and columns forming a keypad array; a display screen showing a plurality of character sets arranged in rows and columns forming a character set onscreen array wherein each element in the character set array is mapped to each element in the keypad array; and a processor for receiving a selection of one of the plurality of keys on the keypad to designate a character set by its corresponding location coordinate as mapped on the keypad array. Sequential key selection drills down through nested arrays.

Abstract: A portable device includes a transparent surface; a microlens array having lenslets, each lenslet forming a corresponding image of an object using light received through the transparent surface; a light sensor having pixels, each pixel corresponding uniquely to one of the plurality of lenslets, to detect the formed images of the object; and a controller to use the detected images to determine a motion of the object relative to the transparent surface, and to output the detected motion to a display for use in navigating a cursor and/or a menu on the display according to the determined motion. The portable device can be used in a telephone, personal digital assistant, and/or other handheld devices which control navigation on a display included in the device or external to the device.

Abstract: An a data input system includes an encoded pad having position encoding and a data input device adapted to image a portion of the encoded pad to determine position and orientation of the data input device relative to the encoded pad. The encoding pad includes a plurality of correlation windows. Each correlation window includes a primary encoding marker in form of vertical line segment and a set of secondary encoding markers in form of diagonal line segments, at least one diagonal line segment intersecting the vertical line segment at an intersection angle. Spacing of the diagonal line segments encodes the X-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Intersection angle encodes the Y-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Angle of the primary encoding marker vertical line segment within the frame of the captured image encodes the angular orientation of the input device relative to the axes of the encoded pad.

Abstract: An input device encodes motion using a laser self-mixing velocimeter. The laser beam is directed at a disk or other moving member. As light from that beam is reflected back into the emitting cavity of the laser, the beam power output fluctuates because of the self-mixing effect and generates a beat signal. The beat signal frequency is used to determine the speed of the member's motion. The direction of motion is also determined based on the beat signal. A difference frequency analog phase locked loop filters the beat signal. A zero-point control disables motion detection when the average beat signal amplitude falls below a threshold. A triangle modulator generates a triangle wave for the laser bias current, with the triangle wave frequency being a submultiple of the beat signal frequency.

Abstract: A first wireless input device includes a body, a case, a structure and a button. The button, connected to the body, activates the structure to make the case detach from the body when being depressed so that an electronic device stored in the first wireless input device is capable of being removed. A second wireless input device includes a body, a first structure and a button. The button, connected to the body, activates the first structure to separate the body and an electronic device stored in the second wireless input device when being depressed so that the electronic device is capable of being removed. A third wireless input device includes a body and a case. When the case and the body are connected together, a receiver stored in the third wireless input device is capable of being removed through an opening and a gap. When the case detaches from the body, a battery is capable of being replaced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for inputting optical data. The optical data input apparatus includes an image sensor, a bundle of optical fibers, and a light emission device. One end surface of the bundle of optical fibers is arranged close to the image sensor, and the other end surface of the bundle of optical fibers is arranged close to an image acquisition surface. The light emission device radiates light onto the image acquisition surface. The end surface (light receiving surface) of the bundle of optical fibers, which is arranged close to the image acquisition surface, is spaced apart from the image acquisition surface. Optical signals radiated by the light emission device are radiated to a space between the image acquisition surface and the light receiving surface, are reflected or scattered on the image acquisition surface, and are received by the bundle of optical fibers.

Abstract: A mouse includes a body, and a scanner. The body includes a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a recess defined in the second surface. The scanner received in the recess includes a housing defining a scanning window, an optical scanning unit received in the housing and an imaging sensor package. The optical scanning unit includes a light source for emitting light through the scanning window towards an object to be scanned, a reflector for reflecting light from the object, and a lens module for focusing the reflected light from the object. The imaging sensor package is received in the housing and is configured for receiving the focused light and generating image data associated with the object.

Abstract: A device includes a first wireless transceiver adapted to communicate over a cellular network, a second wireless transceiver adapted to communicate over a local network separate from the cellular network, and a mechanism adapted to report movement information to a computer via the second wireless transceiver. The mechanism is optionally an optical sensor reporting relative position information. The device is operable as both a cellular communication device and a computer pointing device. A button of the device is adapted to operate as a mouse button, and optionally, in some modes, controls operation of the cellular communication device. The second wireless transceiver optionally uses Universal Serial Bus protocol. The device optionally transfers files via the second wireless transceiver. In some usage scenarios, the device and a separate wireless pointing device communicate with a same computer and are used to operate an application, such as a gaming application.

Abstract: A method and computer input device are provided for controlling a displayed object. Using the method and computer input device, an indication of the amount of rotation and translation of the computer input device is received. A decision is then made as to whether to use the amount of rotation of the computer input device to control a displayed object based on the amount of translation of the computer input device.

Abstract: A product 10 has a position identifying pattern 16 on it, the pattern comprising first and second positional components 24, 26 arranged to identify first and second positional coordinates x, y by means of their reflectivity at different respective wavelengths. Each component 24, 26 has a reflectivity at its respective wavelength that varies with position on the product 10 so that its reflectivity at a point is indicative of the position of that point, the pattern further comprising reference markings 34, 36 arranged to identify a fixed point in the scale of reflectivity of at least one of the positional components.

Abstract: A displacement detection method includes the steps of: capturing a first image and a second image, and obtaining a displacement variation according to the first and the second images; comparing the displacement variation with at least one threshold value; and adaptively adjusting a displacement sensitivity outputted from a displacement detection apparatus according a comparison result of comparing the displacement variation with the threshold value. The present invention further provides a displacement detection apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments of optical mice are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a light source configured to emit light having a wavelength in or near a blue region of a visible light spectrum toward a tracking surface at an oblique angle to the tracking surface, an image sensor positioned to detect non-specular reflection of the light from the tracking surface, and one or more lenses configured to form a focused image of the tracking surface on the image sensor at the wavelength in or near the blue region of the visible light spectrum emitted by the light source. Further, the optical mouse comprises a controller configured to receive image data from the image sensor and to identify a tracking feature in the image data.

Abstract: Embodiments of diffuse optics in an optical mouse are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical mouse comprises a light source configured to emit light toward a tracking surface, an image sensor, an optical diffuser disposed optically upstream of the tracking surface and configured to diffuse light from the light source that illuminates the tracking surface, and a controller configured to receive image data from the image sensor and to identify a tracking feature in the image data.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system comprises a computer housing, a device removably mounted to the computer housing, a removable component coupled to the computer housing under the device, and a power switch coupled to the removable component and responsive to separation of the device from the computer housing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of optical mice are disclosed that facilitate off-surface detection while also providing high-contrast images of a tracking surface. In one embodiment, an optical mouse comprises a light source configured to emit light having a wavelength in or near a blue region of a visible light spectrum toward a tracking surface, an image sensor, and an optical band pass filter configured to pass the light having the wavelength in or near the blue region of the visible light spectrum emitted by the light source while filtering red and infrared wavelengths. Further, the mouse also comprises a controller configured to receive image data from the image sensor and to identify a tracking feature in the image data. The band pass filter prevents ambient light in the filtered wavelengths from reaching the image sensor, and thereby facilitates off-surface detection, while the blue color of the incident light and band pass filter provides a high-contrast image for motion tracking.

Abstract: A user input device for use with a computing device is provided. The user input device may include a housing with a bottom portion including a substrate that includes a transparent portion. The user input device may further include an optical tracking engine mounted in the housing proximate the substrate and being configured to transmit and/or detect light for tracking movement of the user input device through the transparent portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A computer input device (e.g. a mouse) with a finger-triggered sensor is described. The sensor generates input signals in addition to the conventional mouse signals generated by click buttons, tracking device and scrolling wheel. The sensor may be an optical sensor, a touch-sensitive sensor or other types of sensors. The signals generated by the sensor, either alone or in combination with other signals generated by the buttons, tracking device or scrolling wheel, may be interpreted to generate various messages for the operating system and/or application programs. The interpretation may be performed by a circuit on the input device, by a driver program on the host computer, or both. The sensor may be provided on a mouse, a laptop keyboard that has a pointing device, an external keyboard equipped with a pointing device, or on a stand-alone device that can be electrically connected to a computer through its available ports.

Abstract: A directional input device with a light directing shaft that avoids wear and tear caused by physical contact between a shaft and a sensor surface. A directional input device according to the present teachings includes a light emitter and a shaft having a surface that reflects light from the light emitter. A directional input device according to the present teachings further includes a set of light sensing elements that are positioned to detect a position of the shaft by sensing light reflected from the shaft.

Abstract: An optical pointing device is disclosed. The optical pointing device includes: a case having an opening portion formed on a bottom thereof; a light source installed in the case; an illuminating member for reflecting light emitted from the light source to the exterior through one side of the opening portion of the case; a lens member installed in the case to collect the light which is reflected by the illuminating member and then is reflected from the exterior of the case to enter through the other side of the opening portion; an image sensor installed above the lens member to receive the collected light; and a masking member installed closely to the lens member and having a light collecting hole which exposes a significant surface of the lens member.

Abstract: A self-calibrating optical feedback system for an optical navigation device. The self-calibrating optical feedback system includes a light source, an illumination lens, a beam splitter, and an optical feedback device. The illumination lens is coupled relative to the light source. The light source emits light based on a programming current. The illumination lens directs the light towards a beam splitter. The beam splitter partially reflects the light directed from the illumination lens. The optical feedback device detects the partially reflected light from the beam splitter and generates a feedback signal to modify an intensity of the light emitted by the light source. Embodiments of the self-calibrating optical feedback system maintain the output intensity of a laser driven optical navigation device below an eye-safety level.

Abstract: A mouse with coordinate and suspension positioning functions, which receives a directional light produced by an external illuminator. A second image sensor receives and converts the directional light into an electrical signal, and accordingly produces a directional image corresponding to the directional light. A second memory stores the directional image. When an image captured by a first image sensor cannot be focused, a processor enables the second image sensor and the second memory in order to analyze the directional image and obtain a rotating angle of the directional light for further fulfilling a coordinate positioning.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are employed for lift-detection. Beam triangulation can be used, and in one embodiment, an optical lift detection module is separate from the optical tracking module. In one embodiment, a capacitive lift detection technique is used. A capacitor is built into the bottom case of the mouse. When the mouse is resting on a surface, the surface material serves as a dielectric for the capacitor, while air serves as the dielectric when the mouse is lifted. This dielectric change leads to a change in the capacitance value, leading to detection of lift. In one embodiment, a capacitor with an easily compressable material inserted between the two electrodes is used. In another embodiment, a mechanical plunger with an elastic membrane is used for lift detection. Lift detection can be tunable and/or customizable. The actual height of the life can be detected, rather than simple on-off notifications.

Abstract: An input apparatus for a computer system comprises an image object, a prime motion detector, and a receiver. The prime motion detector has an image detection unit, a G-sensor, a mouse module, a switch unit, and a micro control unit (MCU). The image detection unit is used for detecting the image object. The switch is coupled to the G-sensor, the image detection unit and the mouse module. By such means, the switch unit can select to transmit an output of the mouse module, or transmit outputs of the G-sensor and the image detection unit to the MCU according to a selection signal. The MCU encodes an output of the switch unit to generate a detecting data to the receiver, and the receiver transmits the detecting data to the computer system for operating the computer system.

Abstract: A position tracking device is disclosed combining one or more optical sensors in a housing with a medical device. The medical device may be an insertion device or one that produces radiant energy. The device may utilize an on-board processor or an external processor to track position data generated by the optical sensors and correlate the treatment regime of the medical device. Alternative embodiments and methods of use are also described.

Abstract: A multiple function optical image detecting structure includes a shell body, a tracing ball, an optical base, a circuit board, a light-emitting element, and an image sensor. The shell body receives the tracing ball. The optical base has a slanted spectroscope that faces part of the spherical surface of the tracing ball and a lens element located on one side of the spectroscope. The light-emitting element and the image sensor are electrically connected with the circuit board. The light-emitting element faces towards the spectroscope and the image sensor faces towards the lens element. The light axial of the projected light generated from the light-emitting element is reflected/transmitted to the surface of the tracing ball via the spectroscope. Thereby, the light is uniformly projected on the tracing ball and the image sensor obtains the image on the lens element to calculate a displacement.

Abstract: A non-contract selecting device is disclosed. The non-contract selecting device include a light source, emitting light to an outside; a camera unit, generating and outputting a video signal corresponding to an external video; a video data generating unit, generating video data corresponding to the video signal; and an identity unit, detecting a location of a detected area formed by light, reflected by pointing-means and inputted, of the light emitted from the video data in units of each frame, recognizing a moving locus of the detected area by comparing at least two continuous frames and generating and outputting corresponding change information. With the present invention, the function-selecting can be more quickly and easily and increase making the most use of elements.

Abstract: A system and method for performing optical navigation addresses M×N photosensitive elements of an image sensor array to capture first frames of image data of a navigation surface when set to a first operational mode such that each of the first frames of image data includes M×N sampled signals, and addresses at most the M×N photosensitive elements of the image sensor array to capture second frames of image data of the navigation surface when set to a second operational mode such that each of said second frames of image data includes less than M×N sampled signals.

Abstract: An electronic pen for interacting with a substrate having coded data disposed thereon. The pen comprises: an image sensor for sensing the coded data when the pen is used to interact with the surface; a slidably retractable nib for contacting the surface; a processor configured to generate indicating data indicative of the interaction with the substrate; and communication means for communicating the indicating data to a computer system. The image sensor is configured to sense the coded data only when the nib is configured in the extended position.

Abstract: A user input device for use with a computing device is provided. The user input device may include a body, a light source coupled to the body and configured to produce a source light, and a phosphorescent portion positioned proximate to the body and configured to emit a phosphorescent light upon being exposed to the source light.

Abstract: An optical mouse configured to track motion on a broad range of surfaces is disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical mouse includes a light source configured to emit light having a wavelength in or near a blue region of a visible light spectrum, an image sensor positioned relative to the light source such that light from a specular portion of a distribution of light reflected by the tracking surface is detected by the image sensor, and a controller configured to receive image data from the image sensor and to identify a tracking feature in the image data.

Abstract: A digital light processing display system is provided with fewer major moving parts and a smaller form factor. A high-intensity, high-frequency strobe light is used to direct a pulse of light through colored filters. The colored pulses of light are passed through separate prisms, each with a high index of refraction. The index of refraction and the length of the path through the prism result in a delay for each color. For each pixel with a component of the color for each colored pulse, a controller activates the corresponding mirror in an array of mirrors. The timing of the activation of the mirrors is coordinated with the timing of the colored pulses of light to form a full color image.

Abstract: A tilt-wheel mouse circuit is provided. Without adding more I/O pins, the tilt-wheel mouse circuit provides extra scrolling-left and scrolling-right functions through an external-extend circuit and firmware of a micro-controller within the tilt-wheel mouse circuit. It follows that the cost of the manufacturing of the tilt-wheel mouse is accordingly low and the package size of the micro-controller is accordingly small.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a light source, an aperture member, and a detector. The light source provides incident light for illuminating an obverse surface of a plate at a predetermined incident angle. The plate has the obverse surface and a reverse surface and is transparent to the wavelength of the incident light. The aperture member has an opening through which speckle light from the obverse surface and speckle light from the reverse surface pass. The speckle light results from the incident light. The detector detects the intensity of the speckle light passing through the opening. In order that the speckle light from the obverse surface and the speckle light from the reverse surface overlap each other at the detector, the opening has a longitudinal dimension in a direction in which the incident angle is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical pointing system and method for controlling power and/or clock signal thereof. The optical pointing system includes a movement speed sensing unit for calculating a movement speed using a movement value, a variable power unit for varying a magnitude of power supply voltage according to the calculated movement speed, and a variable clock signal generating unit for adaptively varying an operating speed of a circuit by varying a frequency of a supplied clock signal according to the calculated movement speed. Thus, it is possible to reduce power consumption by adaptively varying the operating speed of the circuit based on the magnitude of the supplied power and/or the frequency of the clock signal according to the movement speed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer input device (100) includes: (a) an outer casing (110) with an interior cavity (360); (b) a scrolling mechanism (220) located within the interior cavity and useable through the outer casing; (c) one or more buttons (250) located within the interior cavity and useable through the outer casing; and (c) a movement mechanism (230) located within the interior cavity and configured to detect movement of the outer casing. The outer casing encloses the scrolling mechanism, the at least one button, and the movement sensor such that the computer input device is washable.

Abstract: A relatively moving surface is illuminated with a laser. Light from the laser is reflected by the surface into an array of photosensitive elements; the reflected light includes a speckle pattern. Sums are calculated for outputs of pixels perpendicular to a first dimension along which motion is to be determined. Motion along the first dimension is then determined based on spatial and temporal gradients of the calculated sums. Sums are also calculated for outputs of pixels perpendicular to a second dimension along which motion is to be determined. Motion along the second dimension is then determined based on spatial and temporal gradients of those sums. The array may be rectangular, or may contain arms separated by a pixel-free region.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for executing a mouse pointer function in a portable terminal equipped with a camera. The method includes: capturing an external image signal by a camera module; sampling the external image signal and converting a sampled image signal into image data; mapping a group of pixels of the image data generated by the sampling to a group of pixels of an image sensor for each unit pixel on a one-to-one basis; detecting coordinate values of all image data including a point light source in the group of the mapped pixels; determining if a point light source is actually included in all of the image data including the point light source; and activating the detected coordinate values of all of the image data including the point light source and displaying the activated coordinate values on a screen.

Abstract: A computer cursor control device includes (1) a light source generating light directed toward a stationary surface, (2) an optional phase modulator, (3) an optional function generator causing the phase modulator to periodically phase shift the light, and (4) a signal processor determining a direction in which the device is moving from a beat frequency or an asymmetry in the light intensity. Another computer cursor control device includes (1) an optical element combining reference and measurement beams to form a heterodyned beam, (2) a phase modulator located in an optical path of the reference beam or the measurement beam, (3) a function generator causing the phase modulator to phase shift the reference beam, and (4) a signal processor determining a direction in which the device is moving from a beat frequency of the heterodyned beam.

Abstract: An optical pointer includes a housing, a movable plate, a manipulable member and a displacement detecting unit. The movable plate is disposed in the housing and has a recognizable pattern. The manipulable member is manipulated by a user to transmit the movable plate to effect two-dimensional movement inside the housing. The displacement detecting unit is disposed in the housing for optically detecting the recognizable pattern of the moveable plate, and generating a control signal indicative of a displacement of the movable plate according to detected image change of the recognizable pattern.

Abstract: A programmable optical pointing device. A read/write storage chip stores control code, and an integrated chip includes a photo sensor array and a control circuit. The control circuit reads the control code from the read/write storage chip and accordingly drives the photo sensor array to detect images on an operating surface.

Abstract: A pad-free radio-frequency mouse includes an ergonomic design such that the mouse is contoured to a user's hand, a Radio-Frequency mouse transmitter, and a USB Radio-Frequency receiver. With the usual mouse pad removed, the cursor on a monitor can be subtly maneuvered by moving one's thumb or fingers over an optical sensor in the mouse. Practically all functions found in existing mice and new functions can be implemented via five or more buttons provided adjacent the optical sensor.

Abstract: An optical mouse (10) for controlling a display pointer of a computer (90) includes a main body (12) and a connecting line (14). The main body includes a wired module (40), a wireless module (50) and a battery module (80). The connecting line is detachably attached to the main body and the computer. The connecting line is configured for transmitting electric energy to the main body and transmitting operating signal to the computer. The optical module is defined to be functioning in a connected mode via the wired module when the connecting line connects the main body and the computer. The optical module is defined to be functioning in a wireless mode via the wireless module when the connecting line is detached from the computer or the main body.

Abstract: A trajectory-estimation apparatus and method that can estimate the trajectory of a pen-type optical mouse in a pen-up state. The trajectory-estimation apparatus includes a timer module calculating time for which an optical input device moves in a first state of the optical input device that produces a trajectory, and a trajectory-estimation module estimating the trajectory of the optical input device in a period where a distance between the optical input device and a work surface exceeds a threshold value, based on at least one of the calculated time and a moving speed of the optical input device.

Abstract: A foldable mouse is disclosed. The foldable mouse includes a mouse body, a support portion, and a pivoting portion for connecting the support portion and the mouse body. The mouse body has a hollow surface and a sensing surface neighboring the hollow surface. The sensing surface is in contact with a reflection plane, and the hollow surface forms a cavity on the mouse body. The support portion can be contained in the cavity.

Abstract: Currently, a user may need to carry or otherwise keep track of both a mouse and electronic pen for a computer, such as a portable computing device. Carrying or otherwise keeping track of both devices can be tedious. Accordingly, systems and methods for providing a dual mode mouse pen are enabled, whereby the mouse pen may be used as both a pen, or alternatively, as a mouse. In one embodiment, the pen may include a switch to select one of two modes: pen or mouse.