Abstract: A system and method is provided for selecting a light source in a pointing device such as a mouse. The selection of the light source may be based on attributes of a received image, which are in turn based on reflected light received at the pointing device from the tracking surface. Because the attributes of the receive image are related to characteristics of the tracking surface over which the pointing device is moved, an illumination source appropriate for a particular surface type can be chosen.

Abstract: Embodiments of a washable computer mouse are disclosed. In an embodiment, a water impermeable layer is sealably mounted to a housing so as to provide a water impermeable region and a water permeable region. Mouse circuitry, which includes a sensor and a light source and a responsive element, is positioned in the water impermeable region. A biased button is positioned in the water permeable region and is configured to engage the responsive element. In an embodiment, the mouse circuitry may be configured for wireless transmission of signals and may include a removable door that, in operation, sealably covers a replaceable power source. In an alternative embodiment, the housing may include an exposed connector and a plug that is configured to seal the connector may be attached to the housing by a tether.

Abstract: An imaging system captures a sequence of images representing finger lift-up and finger put-down motions over a sensing area and produces an image signal for use in detecting a click event. At least one light source illuminates a finger interface upon which a user places a finger (or thumb). Light reflected from the finger is captured by an image sensor as image data corresponding to the sequence of images. At least one image signal is produced in connection with or based on the image data. The image signal is used to detect a finger lift-up or finger put-down motion. A click, such as a single click, double click or triple click, is detected based on a combination of finger lift-up and finger put-down motions within a configurable time range.

Abstract: An input device having an extendible body or housing suitable for a hand-held operation. The input device includes a housing assembly including a palm-rest section and a base section opposite to the palm-rest section, a switch mechanism accommodated in the housing assembly and including an operating section arranged adjacent to the palm-rest section, and a motion detecting mechanism accommodated in the housing assembly and including a detecting section arranged adjacent to the base section. The housing assembly includes a plurality of cover members configured by dividing the palm-rest section and the base section into plural parts while keeping a condition where the palm-rest section and the base section are integrally associated with each other. The housing assembly also includes an inner casing at least partially enclosed within the plurality of cover members, and a link arrangement for linking the plurality of cover members with the inner casing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical navigation sensor for a computer mouse is designed to be operable on an optically transparent material. The optically transparent material may include a contact surface on which the mouse sits during normal operation. An optically rough tracking surface is provided below the contact surface. The mouse includes a light source that illuminates an area on the contact surface and an area on the tracking surface. The mouse may include a tracking sensor onto which the illuminated area on the tracking surface is imaged to detect mouse displacement. The mouse may also include a lift sensor that picks up specular light reflected from the illuminated area on the contact surface to generate lift information indicative of whether the mouse has been lifted off the contact surface. Tracking of the mouse displacement may be qualified with the lift information.

Abstract: A method for controlling a laser mouse on a surface is provided. The laser mouse includes a laser mouse control unit, a light transmitter and a light receiver. The laser mouse control unit radiates a beam of laser light and detects a moving position of the laser mouse relative to the surface according to a part of the laser light reflected from the surface. The light transmitter generates a beam of light, and the light receiver receives a part of the light reflected from the surface and accordingly generates a signal. The method includes setting a threshold value according to the signal; and determining whether the intensity of the signal is smaller than the threshold value, and if yes, controlling the laser mouse control unit to stop radiating the laser light.

Abstract: An optical navigation devices and methods that utilize an internal reflection surface to reflect and collimate sidelight from a light source are described. A light source is configured to emit light. The sidelight from the light source is reflected and collimated by an internal reflection surface towards a work surface. The light received by the sensor is used to measure movement of the optical navigation device relative to the work surface.

Abstract: An input device comprises a circuit board, an optical sensor, an optical lens and a light generator. The circuit board has a through hole. The optical lens is disposed between the circuit board and the optical sensor. The light generator emits a light beam which passes through the through hole and projects onto a plane, which is then reflected to the optical lens. The optical sensor captures the light beam passed through the optical lens.

Abstract: An optical module of an optical mouse includes a light source, a light-guiding unit having a fixing portion, a first lens and a second lens. A housing of the light source includes a substantially plane light-emitting surface, and the light-guiding unit guides light emitted by the light source. The fixing portion is disposed on one side of the light-guiding unit for fastening the light source. The first lens is disposed on one side of the fixing portion close to the light-guiding unit for focusing the light emitted by the light source onto a working surface. The second lens is disposed on an optical path between the light source and the first lens using injection molding for focusing the light provided by the light source onto a focal point of the first lens.

Abstract: A method for estimating relative motion based on maximum likelihood and the apparatus using the same are provided. An image capture device captures a first image frame and a second image frame. An image buffer stores the image frames captured by the image capture device. A motion estimation device determines the motion of the second image frame relative to the first image frame. The motion estimation device calculates a probability density function of motion parameter candidates between the first and second image frames so as to determine the motion parameter where the probability density function is maximal as the motion of the second image frame relative to the first image frame.

Abstract: A force-moment sensor (1) is used as a switch, with which, depending on the introduction of forces and moments onto an operating part (5) of the force-moment sensor (1), software or hardware functions of a device (2, 2?) to be controlled are triggered. For this purpose, the output signals of the force-moment sensor (1) are analysed by comparisons with threshold values. The selection of a device or a function thereof does not have to be chosen in advance, but takes place while introducing a force or a moment into the sensor. The introduced forces or moments in each degree of freedom of the sensor are analysed. The selection of the device or function coincides with the driving. The device can thus be simplified since no special facilities for selecting devices or functions must be provided. Additionally, the selection and driving are accelerated by this temporal coincidence.

Abstract: A laser pointing device having a laser safety apparatus is provided. The laser pointing device includes a laser sensor and a switch. The laser sensor is coupled to a laser diode and a controller. The switch has an end coupled to a power, and another end electrically coupled to the laser diode. When the laser pointing device is placed on a surface, the switch is in an ON state such that the power and the laser diode are electrically connected/When the laser pointing device is away from the surface, the switch is in an OFF state such that the power and the laser diode are electrically disconnected.

Abstract: A control circuit having a drive circuit and a controller adapted for use in optical mice is disclosed. The drive circuit is connected between first and second ports and passes a current between those ports having an amplitude determined by a control signal that is generated by the controller. The first port is connected to an illumination device and the second port is connected to a power rail. The control circuit also includes a potential measuring circuit that generates a signal indicative of a drive circuit potential between the first and second ports. The controller records the drive circuit potential for a predetermined current when the first port is connected to an illumination device. The controller sets the control signal based on the recorded drive circuit potential. The control circuit can record the drive circuit potential when the controller is powered.

Abstract: A notebook computer comprises a plurality of conventional sensors disposed on the notebook computer to achieve a wide-angle infrared sensor response. An infrared input device comprises a mouse and a touchpad with an improved energy management system to reduce power consumption and a user settable identification code to prevent crosstalk with other infrared devices.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a first convex lens on a housing of the pointing device and arranged such that when a user's finger slides over the lens, an image of the user's finger is sensed to generate a cursor-moving or scrolling signal for a computer.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen, includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface with a plurality of light pulses, thereby generating reflected light pulses. A detection circuit is configured to sense light, distinguish between the reflected pulses and ambient light, and generate a low signal indication if the magnitude of the reflected pulses falls below a threshold value. An optical motion sensor generates digital images based on the reflected pulses. The motion sensor is configured to generate movement data based on the digital images. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cursor control are provided. The present invention combines an optical mouse with a stationary pad, and integrates the shift information detected by a light sensor and pressure sensors. Therefore, accurate shift detection can be realized within limited space so as to control the cursor on the screen. In addition, the power of the optical mouse can be supplied by the stationary pad, such that the burden for movement of the optical mouse can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer includes a movement sensor for sensing relative movement between the apparatus and a surface, and generating corresponding movement data. The movement sensor is configured to generate compressed data representing the movement data. The apparatus includes a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the compressed data.

Abstract: A computer input device, such as an electronic mouse, having an optical projection system. The optical projection system is configured to project an image onto a supporting surface upon which the device rests. In one arrangement the optical projection system includes a light source, an image forming light blocker and optics. The optics may be collimating or non-collimating. In another arrangement the optical projection system may include an active LED matrix display. This system enables a use to personalize and/or customize his or her computer input device. Additionally, it permits the device to serve desirable notification functions if one or more of various events have occurred in a computer application being run on the computer. An example of event for notification includes the receipt of a message in a communications program such as an e-mail message.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to an optical displacement sensor for sensing relative movement between a data input device and a surface by determining displacement of optical features in a succession of frames. The sensor includes an illuminator and a detector. The illuminator has a light source and illumination optics to illuminate a portion of the surface with a planar phase-front. The detector has a plurality of photosensitive elements and imaging optics. The illuminator and the detector are configured such that the illuminated portion of the surface is less than fifty percent larger than a field of view of the photosensitive elements of the detector. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An optical navigation system having an optical navigation integrated circuit (“navigation IC”) is described. The optical navigation system may include an emitter module and a pixel array surrounding the emitter module. The optical navigation system may further include a ring optical system located on the surface of the navigation IC over the pixel array.

Abstract: An optical navigation device that regulates the brightness of an adjustable light source, and a method thereof, are described. Light from the light source is emitted onto a surface and reflected from the surface to a sensor. The light received by the sensor is used to measure movement of the optical navigation device relative to the surface. A light-sensitive device also receives light from the light source. The brightness of the light source can be adjusted according to the amount of light received at the light-sensitive device.

Abstract: A sensing device for generating indicating data, when positioned or moved relative to a surface having coded data disposed upon it, the indicating data being indicative of an orientation of the sensing device relative to the surface, the sensing device including: orientation sensor configured to generate the indicating data, using at least some of the coded data; and communications means configured to communicate the orientation data to a computer system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display configured to display images that includes multiple display elements capable of controlling light within a visible-light spectrum. The display elements are arranged over a display surface of the display. The display also includes one or more receivers arranged with the display elements over the display surface of the display. The receivers are coupled with the display elements and receive transmitted image information. The receivers activate the display elements in response to, and in correspondence with, the image information.

Abstract: An optical window is disclosed through which light can be shone to generate a waveform. Windows are hourglass-shaped, to better conform the shape of the windows to the distribution of light intensity. The optical window can be incorporated into a variety of optical devices.

Abstract: One embodiment described relates to an optical displacement sensor for sensing movement of a data input device across a surface by detecting displacement of optical features in a succession of images of the surface. The sensor includes a detector having an array including a number (N) of sets of photosensitive elements, each set having a number (M) of photosensitive elements, where M is greater than two and not equal to four. Signals from each of the photosensitive elements in a set are electrically coupled or combined with corresponding photosensitive elements in other sets to produce a total of M independent group signals from M interlaced groups of photosensitive elements. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Motion capture is a field where sensors are disposed about an animate object and the motions of the object are recorded such that they can be represented as 3D graphics on a computer. Unfortunately, motion capture devices, such as motion capture suits that are currently available on the marker are very expensive. Optical mouse technology has been well established over the past few years. As such, a method and apparatus of using an optical mouse scanning assembly with an external lens is disclosed for facilitating motion capture.

Abstract: An optical mouse includes a base and a lens for forming an image on an image sensor package. An LED projects light into the field of view of the lens via a prism. The prism enables the LED to be set horizontally, which reduces optical losses. The prism and lens may form part of a single molding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and a device for varying the scrolling speed provided for a set of items. The device comprises a first user input unit for allowing a scrolling action selection by the user, a second user input unit for allowing a scrolling speed variation selection, and a control unit, which provides a set of items of information that can be scrolled by a user (step 32), detects a scrolling action selection by a user via the first user input unit (step 34), detects a scrolling speed variation selection via the second user input unit (step 38), and changes the scrolling speed in dependence of the selections made by the user, (steps 42, 44). In this way varied scrolling speeds that can be fully controlled by a user in a simple manner are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical pointing system and a method for calculating a movement value thereof, comprising: an image sensor for detecting light reflected from a worktable surface to generate an image signal, a maximum search window variable circuit for inputting at least one of the image signal and a movement value to change a size of a maximum search window, and a movement value calculation circuit for calculating the movement value of the image signal using the maximum search window with the changed size. Therefore, an exact movement value can be found by changing at least one of the maximum search window and a sampling rate according to at least one of a quantity of light and a movement speed to calculate the movement value.

Abstract: An optical navigation sensor receives light that is produced by a light source and reflected from a surface. The optical navigation sensor has a silicon substrate having a plurality of photo-sensing regions, each of which receives a portion of the reflected light, and each of which provides a pixel of navigation information. At least one layer of material is deposited on the photo-sensing regions of the silicon substrate during a silicon wafer fabrication process. Each layer has a thickness that causes it to serve as an anti-reflection coating and reduce a percentage of light that is reflected away from the photo-sensing regions of the silicon substrate. A circuit biases each of the photo-sensing regions with a current, the current providing a given responsivity, and the current being less than a current that would be required to provide the given responsivity absent the at least one layer of material.

Abstract: A signal processor and method are provided for detecting movement of a surface relative to an optical sensor having an array of photosensitive elements.

Abstract: A force-applying input device includes a mechanical section including a tilting lever; an operation section mounted to an end of the tilting lever; first and second actuators which apply a force to the operation section through the tilting lever; first and second position sensors which detect operation amount and direction of the tilting lever; and a control section which generates first and second drive signals of the first and second actuators by receiving first and second position signals output from the respective first and second position sensors. Based on the first and second position signals output from the position sensors, the control section computes the first and second drive signals of the first and second actuators in accordance with operation amount and direction of the operation section, and outputs first and second drive powers of the respective first and second actuators from first and second drive circuits.

Abstract: An optical navigation chip. The optical navigation chip is appropriate for an optical pointing device and used for calculating a displacement of the optical navigation chip relative to an operating surface. The optical navigation chip comprises a photo sensor array driven by a photo sensor control circuit for detecting an image of the operating surface, a signal readout circuit coupled with the photo sensor array for reading out the image in analog format, an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) circuit coupled with the signal readout circuit for converting the image from analog format to digital format, an image qualification circuit coupled with the ADC circuit for determining quality of the image and outputting a quality index accordingly, and a motion detection circuit for outputting the displacement according to the quality index.

Abstract: A dustfree and waterproof rolling-ball optical mouse comprising: a concave housing (1); a rolling ball (3) movably engaged with said concave housing; a dustproof gasket (2) fixed on the concave surface of the concave housing; a leakage hole (22) of a conduit (4) defined in a center of said concave surface of said concave housing; an aperture (21) for allowing light through which is eccentrically defined in the bottom of said concave surface of said concave housing; and a waterproof tab (28) formed around the edge of said aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the storage and recharging of peripheral devices within a computer. In one exemplary embodiment the invention relates to an expandable computer mouse that may be stored and recharged in a port, such as a PCMCIA slot, of a portable computing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical mouse and method for preventing abnormal operation of the same. The method comprises the steps of (a) when a shutter-on time of an image sensor is continuously increased or decreased, obtaining a plurality of frames for the shutter-on time, and (b) calculating and outputting a movement value of the optical mouse using one frame obtaining a surface image with the highest accuracy from among the plurality of frames obtained in the step (a). Thus, by sensing the time when the optical mouse passes through an interface having an obvious difference in brightness and preventing the wrong movement value from being outputted, it is possible to prevent the abnormal operation of the optical mouse.

Abstract: A data input device for use with an optically rough tracking surface comprising a coherent light source projecting a coherent light beam and an optic positioned in the coherent light beam. The optic alters a wavefront profile of the coherent light beam so that the coherent light beam has a substantially constant phase relative to a plane perpendicular to the beam at a tracking distance from the optic. The coherent light beam is projected onto the tracking surface to reflect a substantially stable speckle pattern. A controller responsive to a detector correlates the substantially stable speckle pattern to track relative movement between the coherent light beam and the tracking surface. The controller suspends tracking of relative movement between the coherent light beam and the tracking surface when the detector detects a boiling speckle pattern.

Abstract: A data input device for use with a tracking surface having light-scattering properties with respect to the device is disclosed. The device comprises a coherent light source for projecting a coherent light beam onto the tracking surface. The tracking surface scatters the coherent light beam striking the tracking surface. The device further comprises a detector associated with the coherent light source for detecting at least a portion of the scattered light. The detected portion of the scattered light comprising a speckle pattern. The device further comprises a controller configured to respond to the detected speckle pattern and operate the device in one of a tracking mode and a non-tracking mode, depending upon a speckle size characteristic of the detected speckle pattern as determined by the controller.

Abstract: A current output of a drive signal, modulated between two current settings, is applied to a laser diode, e.g. VCSEL. The settings are selected such that laser diode's power output meets the average power and peak power limits of the eye safety standards. The drive signal having a duty cycle toggling between the two settings. The duty cycle is selected such that the average and peak power limits are met for the given upper current setting. The drive circuit may include an analog modulator or digital analog converter (DAC) for maintaining the lower and upper current settings. When the drive circuit is implemented as an integrated circuit, the DAC may be incorporated into the IC. The sensitivity of the DAC is selected to maintain the desired lower and upper current settings.

Abstract: A compact optical sensor package for use in an optical mouse. The optical sensor package includes a chip enclosure which is physically and electrically bonded to a main circuit Board using Ball Grid Array (BGA) technology. The chip enclosure includes a windowed cover having a window, and a base board hermetically sealed to the windowed cover to enclose the sensor chip. The sensor chip is electrically connected to bonding pads on the inner surface of the base plate. The bonding pads are electrically connected through the base plate to bonding pads on the outer surface of the base plate. The bonding pads on the outer surface of the base plate are elements in this application of Ball Grid Array technology.

Abstract: This invention relates to an active Laser Protection System (LPS) system specifically designed to provide a device that automatically adjusts a protection panel of the device in response to laser light exposure thus preventing a user from being exposed to damaging laser light. In one embodiment the LPS system utilizes a light weight portable goggle type eyewear. In yet another embodiment the LPS system is comprised of contact lenses worn by the user. The LPS system may be used in all light transmissive surfaces where the penetration of laser light is not desired, such as aircraft, spacecraft, vessel, train, and automotive windshields, etc. The LPS system may also be utilized as a replacement window for structures where laser light penetration is undesired. The protection panels utilize Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) that are activated by laser sensors by means of a microprocessor and power supply means.

Abstract: A light source die of an optical input device is mounted on a detecting die of the optical input device in order to reduce the size of the optical input device. The light source die emits light to a reflective surface, and light sensing elements formed on the detecting die sense the reflected light from the reflective surface. A control circuit of the optical input device generates corresponding navigation signals according to the output signals of the light sensing elements.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a movable cursor control device is provided for controlling a cursor on a display screen of a digital processing system. One exemplary cursor control device comprises a housing, an electromagnetic emitting device coupled to the housing, and an electromagnetic detector coupled to the housing. The electromagnetic detector detects reflections of signals emitted from the electromagnetic emitting device and determines when the housing has been lifted from a surface. In another aspect of the invention, an exemplary method is provided for controlling a cursor on a display screen of a digital processing system. The exemplary method includes holding the cursor relative to an object on the display screen using a cursor control device activated by a user, detecting that the user no longer activates the cursor control device, and detecting that the user has lifted the cursor control device from a surface when the cursor control device is no longer activated by the user.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device which includes a base, a display mounted to the base, a user-controllable cursor, a cursor controller for allowing the user to control the position of the cursor on the display, wherein the cursor controller is responsive to a control stimulus from the user acting in a cursor control area remote from the base.

Abstract: In one embodiment, movement between a surface and an imager is tracked by using the imager to acquire a series of digital images of the surface. Each of the digital images represents a pattern of light that is reflected from the surface. If a first number of the digital images have surface qualities that are above a surface quality threshold set to an initial value, ones of the series of digital images are compared to track movement between the surface and the imager. If a second number of the digital images have surface qualities that are below the surface quality threshold, then i) the surface quality threshold is dynamically lowered to a new value, and thereafter ii) ones of the series of digital images are compared to track movement between the surface and the imager. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of calculating sub-pixel movement and a position tracking sensor using the same. The method includes: setting a reference frame and receiving a current surface image illuminated by light as a sample frame; calculating correlation between the reference frame and the sample frame to obtain a movement value; when the calculated movement value is above a first value, updating the reference frame to the sample frame, and when above a second value, recognizing a movement value of the sample frame with respect to the reference frame; and calculating the movement value of the sample frame with respect to an auxiliary reference frame, and updating the auxiliary reference frame to the sample frame in association with the movement calculation of the sample frame to the reference frame, and when the calculated movement value is above a third value, recognizing the movement value of the sample frame with respect to the auxiliary reference frame.

Abstract: A three-dimensional position and motion telemetry computer input apparatus includes a wireless transmitter configured to repeatedly transmit encoded signals in at least three mutually distinct directions. A set of at least three unidimensional signal detectors are disposed in spaced relation to one another and configured to repeatedly detect in real-time, the amplitude of the encoded signals incident thereon. A controller is configured to repeatedly capture data corresponding to the signal amplitude, in real-time. A calculation engine repeatedly determines the 3-D position of the transmitter using the captured data. At least one output port coupled to the calculation engine, repeatedly transmits the 3-D position of the transmitter to a data consumer in real time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for position determination and motion tracking for use in a processor based system. Embodiments may incorporate a redirector that moves in at least one direction about a fixed point, an object operable to reflect a search beam as a location beam, logic operable to determine at least one angle of position for the object from the orientation of the redirector, and logic operable to determine a distance of the object from a fixed point.

Abstract: A single-, two- or three-axis opto-electronic encoder, or error-inputting device, with an optical scale which is overall cylindrical, spherical or volumetric, as opposed to extant planar, circular optical scales; mostly parallel rays of light enter from the cylindrical or spherical surface of the scale, travel, with or without being modulated in intensity due to rotation/rotations of, or distortion/distortions in, the scale, along elliptical and/or circular sectional planes of the scale and exit to fall upon an obstructing opto-electronic sensor or a plurality of such sensors.