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

Abstract: A mouse device includes a lower cover, a circuit board, a first switch, a second switch, a first swinging element, and a second swinging element. The first swinging element includes a first pressing part and a second pressing part. The first swinging element and the second swinging element are located at a front side and a rear side of the lower cover, respectively. As the mouse device is swung in a leftward direction or a rightward direction, the front side and the rear side of the mouse device are simultaneously tilted. Moreover, since the first pressing part or the second pressing part of the first swinging element is pushed by a working surface where the mouse device is placed, the first pressing part or the second pressing part is moved toward the first switch or the second switch in order to trigger the first switch or the second switch.

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

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and power saving method thereof are disclosed, by which display information can be outputted to an external projection plane using a projector module. Accordingly, if an event by a system or user occurs, power saving can be performed by controlling an operation of the projector module. A mobile terminal may include a terminal body, a motion sensor configured to detect a motion of the terminal body, a projector module configured to project an image onto an external surface, a power supply configured to supply power to the projector module, and a controller configured to control an operation of the projector module and to discontinue the supply of power to the projector module in response to detecting the motion by the motion sensor.

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

Abstract: A computer input apparatus is disclosed which has improved safety control. Computer input devices with coherent light sources are popular. However, coherent light sources may cause serious and unrecoverable injuries to human eyes. Accordingly, there are several safety specifications defined by manufacturers and governments. Therefore, an improved device is disclosed that includes a calibration circuit and a fault detection circuit to control the operation current of a coherent light source to be within the safety specifications range, and to monitor for fault conditions. Furthermore, a computer input apparatus with coherent light source can be operated without the traditional optical lens.

Abstract: An optical touch control apparatus, for detecting displacement between an object and the optical touch control apparatus. The optical touch control apparatus comprises: an object detecting apparatus, for detecting the object to generate an object image, having a first detecting area in a first mode and having a second detecting area in a second mode, wherein the first detecting area is larger than the second detecting area; an image sensor, for capturing at least one frame of the object image; and a control unit, for adjusting an image capturing area of the image sensor, according which one of the first detecting area and the second detecting area the object detecting apparatus utilizes.

Abstract: Architecture for managing clutch height in an optical navigational device such as a computer mouse. In one embodiment for a mouse, a feature can be molded into the bottom case that limits the clutch height by occluding the reflected light to the image sensor when the device is lifted from the tracking surface. Tracking is disabled when the clutch height threshold is exceeded, and re-enabled when the device is brought under the distance clutch height threshold. The device includes firmware controlled algorithm adjustments to one or more correlation parameters. User interfaces may also be employed to implement various aspects of the embodiments discussed herein.

Abstract: A displacement detection method includes the steps of: acquiring an image frame; calculating a characteristic index of the image frame; maintaining the image frame when the characteristic index is larger than a threshold value; and adding a fixed pattern to the image frame when the characteristic index is smaller than the threshold value. The present invention further provides a displacement detection device.

Abstract: A foldable mouse including a first bottom plate, a second bottom plate, a first top plate, a second top plate, and two flexible side edge covers is provided. The first bottom plate and the second bottom plate are partially stacked together, and are suitable for relative movement. The first top plate has a first end and a second end, in which the first end pivots to a side of the first bottom plate away from the second bottom plate. The second top plate has a third end and a fourth end, in which the fourth end pivots to a side of the second bottom plate away from the first bottom plate. The two flexible side edge covers are connected to two side edges of the first top plate and the second top plate and two side edges of the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) human-computer interaction system that supports mouse operations through the motion of a finger and an operation method thereof are provided. In the provided system and method, a multi-view video recording device captures an image of a finger of an operator, and has an information connection with an electronic information device through an interaction handling program. After the interaction handling program is executed, a CPU of the electronic information device performs operations such as computation, synthesis, image presentation, gesture tracking, and command recognition on the captured image to interpret a motion of the finger of the user. Accordingly, the user may perform operations on an operation interface of the electronic information device by using the finger in a 3D space in a noncontact mode. The present invention is particularly applicable to application software with 3D space operations as it can perform 3D interaction with the application software.

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: Input devices such as computer mice are commonly used for interacting with personal computers (PCs). Increasingly, wireless computer mice are becoming popular with users due to their ability to provide cordless accessibility for interaction with the PCs. The wireless computer mice are usually powered using batteries and uses radio frequencies (RF) for transmitting the users' input to the PCs. The wireless computer mice usually have a fixed transmission power, thus resulting in a fixed transmission range. Notably, the battery life and transmission range of the wireless mice share an inversely proportional relationship. Hence, a long battery life cannot be obtained without decreasing the transmission range and vice versa. However, existing wireless computer mice typically do not have provisions for making such adjustments. An embodiment of the invention describes an apparatus and a method for managing power usage of wireless input devices.

Abstract: A user interface can enable a user to control the display of content in a way that is natural for the user and requires little physical interaction. The gaze direction and/or viewing location of a user can be determined using any of a variety of imaging or other such technologies. By determining the location at which the user is gazing, an electronic device can control aspects such as the scroll rate or page turns of displayed content. In many cases, a device utilizes the natural reading or viewing style of a user to determine appropriate aspects for that user, and can update automatically as conditions change based at least in part upon the change in gaze location and/or viewing patterns.

Abstract: An optical navigation device and method for performing optical navigation uses an optically transparent flexible film, which is positioned over a sensor that includes an image sensor array, to allow the image sensor array to receive imaging light from a target surface that is produced in response to illumination light emitted into the target surface from a light source. The imaging light from the target surface is received at the image sensor array of the sensor to capture frames of image data of the target surface. The frames of image data are then compared to estimate relative displacements between the target surface and the image sensor array.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical displacement detection apparatus and an optical displacement detection method. The optical displacement detection apparatus includes: a light source for projecting light on a surface; an image capturing unit for generating an image signal according to light reflected from the surface; and a processing unit for generating an auto-exposure (AE) state value and an image quality (IQ) value according to the image signal, and determining an AE range according to an initial AE range, the AE state value and the IQ value.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with an optical movement sensor are described. In one embodiment, an optical system reflects light from a surface and folds the light. The folded light is focused onto an image sensor within a handheld device. The image sensor generates image data of the focused light to determine motion of the handheld device relative to the surface.

Abstract: A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.

Abstract: A power-saving method for a wheel mouse is provided. The power-saving method is used to control the illumination cycle of a light emitter by judging whether a scroll wheel is triggered or judging whether the output signal from the light receiver is changed. In a case that the illumination cycle of the light emitter is a shorter second cycle, the light emitter can quickly generate the optical signal. Consequently, the optical signal is not lost, and the possibility of erroneously operating the wheel mouse is eliminated. Whereas, in a case that the illumination cycle of the light emitter is a longer first cycle, the controlling unit can reduce the power consumption in order to achieve the power-saving efficacy.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for adjusting the depth of view in an optical sensor of a pointing device (see FIG. 4). The method and system of the invention allow a user to select a depth of views from multiple depths of view. The user may select the depth of view using an appropriate graphical user interface. The depth of view may also be selected by the pointing device with no user input. In either case, the depth of view of the optical sensor may be adjusted to more accurately account for different levels of contrast in the micro-texture of the user's work surface.

Abstract: A method of operating an user input device relative to a projection screen includes: displaying a user interface via a projector in the A/V device; receiving a captured image from a camera tracking a two-dimensional (2D) coordinate of a light source from images of the capture image; displaying a cursor over the user interface via the projector in the A/V device based on the 2D coordinate; detecting an optical pattern from the light source; and activating a click interaction on the user interface at the 2D coordinate based on the optical pattern received.

Abstract: Automatic mode determination for an input device is disclosed. Depending on conditions of the input device, the input device can transition from a first mode to a transition mode and/or a second mode.

Abstract: A mark which at least reflects or radiates invisible light of predetermined wavelength other than visible light is added in a space of the real world. A camera apparatus comprises image capturing means for capturing a real image in which an invisible-light image may be discriminating. An image processing apparatus, comprises: mark discriminating means for discriminating at least one condition of a position of image of mark in the captured real image, a orientation of the mark, and a distance from the mark to the image capturing means, and overlaying condition determining means for determining, in correspondence with the discriminated condition, a overlaying condition which is at least one of an overlaying position which is a position of the image of the virtual object overlaid on the captured real image in the real image, an orientation of the virtual object which the image of the virtual object indicates, and a distance from a view point of viewer, of the image of the virtual object.

Abstract: A system and method for performing optical navigation selectively uses portions of captured frame of image data for cross-correlation for displacement estimation, which can reduce the power consumption and/or increase the tracking performance at higher speed usage.

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: An optical touch mouse includes a cover having a portion as a detect window, a lightguide adjacent to the detect window for directing light to the detect window, and a light source adjacent to the lightguide for providing light to enter the lightguide. The detect window is transparent to light provided by the light source such that light provided by the light source can penetrate through the detect window.

Abstract: The low power image sensor includes: an image sensing unit which senses light from an object, converts the light into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal; a comparing unit which receives an electric signal from the image sensor, compares a voltage level of the electric signal with a reference voltage, and outputs an image signal as a 1 bit signal per pixel; and an effective image adjuster which compares bit value distribution of an image signal output from the comperator with a preset effective range, and adjusts the effective image to output an effective image. Further, an optical pointing device includes: an image sensor which senses light from an object and outputs an image signal; and a motion computing unit which receives the image signal and compares before and after images to calculate a motion vector.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a position acquisition unit for obtaining a display position of an input area in a display area, and a display control unit for controlling, based on the display position of the input area, in the display area a display position of an input operation area in which a character to be displayed in the input area is input. The display control unit displays the input area near the display position of the input area, and makes the input operation area follow the movement of the input area when the display position of the input area is moved.

Abstract: A controller device transmits operation data to an information processing device. The controller device wirelessly communicates with the information processing device. The controller device includes an operation unit, a generating unit, and a communication unit. The operation unit includes at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, and a touch panel. The generating unit generates operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit. The communication unit wirelessly transmits the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying sheets on which is added one identifier or more comprising a combination of juxtaposed screen cells. The method comprises two parts. The first part describes a means for making the differentiating identifiers and the addresses associated with the content areas forming the sheets. The second part describes a means for processing the information of the digital pen transmitted to the computer processing unit by one or more automatic or semiautomatic post-processing operations. The two non-separable parts of this method thus compensate for the potential handling errors of a user who must write or transcribe information onto screen sheets using a digital pen.

Abstract: A near-field communication (NFC) input device may include an NFC mouse pad to be coupled to an electronic device. The NFC mouse pad may include a first NFC device. The NFC input device may further include an NFC mouse configured to generate movement data based upon movement relative to the NFC mouse pad. The NFC mouse may include a second NFC device to wirelessly communicate the movement data to the first NFC device for the electronic device.

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 power-saving sensing module includes a light source, a first and a second sensor, a first and a second detection unit, and a controller. The first sensor detects a first image corresponding to a working plane in response to at least a part of the light ray from the light source to generate a first sensing signal. The first detection unit generates a displacement signal in response to the first sensing signal. The second sensor detects a second image corresponding to an object in response to at least a part of light ray to generate a second sensing signal. The second detection unit generates a touch signal corresponding to the object in response to the second sensing signal. The controller outputs a control signal in response to the touch signal. The first detection unit operates at a dormant state or a sensing state in response to the control signal.

Abstract: There is provided a hybrid pointing device including an optical navigation module, a pointing module and a switching module. The optical navigation module is configured to sense gestures of at least one object operated by a user to activate commands associated with particular programs running on the host. The pointing module is configured to detect a movement between the hybrid pointing device and a working surface. The switching module is configured to active the optical navigation module or the pointing module according to a deformation of a touch plate.

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

Abstract: A 3D pointing device for use with a content delivery system is provided. The pointing device can operate in one of at least one of two modes: a first 3D or scrolling mode, and a second non-3D mode that can also be referred to as an up-down-left-right (UDLR) mode. The pointing device can include one or more directional sensors, to provide orientation and movement information. For either of the at least two modes, an optical finger navigation module is provided that can detect movement of a user's finger or object across its screen, and provides a predetermined threshold that must be exceeded before movement information is generated from the OFN module. The pointing device can generate scroll and UDLR commands based on the information from the orientation and movement sensors, as well as the OFN module, or can provide the information from the orientation and movement sensors to a user interface that can generate the appropriate scrolling or UDLR commands for use by the content delivery system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing graphs and/or physical bodies are described. In some embodiments, the systems and methods determine one or more scaling factors that may be subsequently used to extract data from a graph/body under consideration. The systems and methods may also enable data extraction from multiple graphs, providing avenues to simultaneously optimize multiple variables at the same time.

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

Abstract: A gesture-based user interface comprises a wearable portable device storing a gesture profile for each of a plurality of different applications on the wearable portable device to define different gestures for the different applications, wherein each of the gesture profiles includes at least one gesture and a predetermined function associated with the at least one gesture; and a profile web service, wherein the portable device is in communication with the profile web service and is configured to download from the profile web service to the wearable portable device a customizable gesture profile for a particular one of the applications, wherein the customized gesture profile modifies at least one of the different gestures, the customized gesture profile comprising personal preferences of the user regarding the modified gesture, including physical attributes of the user.

Abstract: Architecture for managing clutch height in an optical navigational device such as a computer mouse. In one embodiment for a mouse, a feature can be molded into the bottom case that limits the clutch height by occluding the reflected light to the image sensor when the device is lifted from the tracking surface. Tracking is disabled when the clutch height threshold is exceeded, and re-enabled when the device is brought under the distance clutch height threshold. The device includes firmware controlled algorithm adjustments to one or more correlation parameters. When employing a D-shaped aperture, a threshold can be placed on the z-axis height tracking distance using dimensional characteristics of the shaped aperture, such as a knife-edge (the straight portion of the “D” shaped aperture), to impose a shadow across the image sensor. The aperture can be custom designed to occlude a portion of the emitted light from an LED.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display device including a first light sensor unit configured to include a light-receiving element and detect intensity of ambient light to a display area; a second light sensor unit configured to include a light-receiving element and be provided with an infrared filter disposed on an optical path to the light-receiving element; and a signal processor configured to execute difference processing for a detection signal of the first light sensor unit and a detection signal of the second light sensor unit, wherein the infrared filter is formed by stacking at least two kinds of color filters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus receive first input through a touch screen and communicate over a cellular network responsive to the first input. The method and apparatus receive second input through the touch screen and use the second input to control, through a wireless network other than the cellular network, an image displayed on a screen of a second device.

Abstract: An input device includes an operating unit that a user grasps and operates in a three-dimensional free space in order to remotely operate an information processing device; and a transmitting unit to transmit a signal for a first gesture in the free space of the operating unit to set a mode, and a signal for a second gesture in the free space of the operating unit which differs from the first gesture to execute processing in the mode set based on the first gesture.

Abstract: A display device comprises a display screen, a graphical user interface navigation button and a proximity sensor including an infrared radiation emitter, an infrared radiation sensor and an infrared radiation source differentiator. The infrared radiation emitter emits a navigation infrared radiation. The infrared radiation sensor is positioned relative to the infrared radiation emitter to sense a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in a navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor.

Abstract: An intelligent object tracking and gestures sensing input device is operative to translate hand gestures of a user into data and commands for operating a computer or various machines. It is provided with video web cameras video vision camera, sensors. A logical vision sensor program in the device measures movements of the user's hand gesture into X, Y and Z dimension definitions. It defines a working space spaced therefrom into virtual space mouse zone, space keyboard zone, and hang sign language zone. It automatically translates the change of coordinates of the user's hand in puzzle cell positions in the virtual working space into the data and commands. Objects having enhance symbols, colors, shape, and illuminated lights are attachable on the user's hand to provide precision input.

Abstract: A system that has a remote control, e.g., a wand, equipped with a relative motion sensor that outputs data indicative of a change in position of the wand. The system also has one or more light sources and a photodetector that detects their light and outputs data indicative of the detected light. The system uses one or more controllers to determine the absolute position of the wand based on the data output by the relative motion sensor and by the photodetector. The data enables determination of the absolute pose of the wand, which includes the absolute position of a reference point chosen on the wand and the absolute orientation of the wand. To properly express the absolute parameters of position and/or orientation of the wand a reference location is chosen with respect to which the calculations are performed. The system is coupled to a display that shows an image defined by a first and second orthogonal axes such as two axes belonging to world coordinates (Xo,Yo,Zo).

Abstract: An optical navigation system and method are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: (i) generating for a first group of photosensitive elements a first quasi-sinusoidal signal at a first time, and a second quasi-sinusoidal signal at a second time in response to motion of light received thereon in a first direction; (ii) computing from the first and second quasi-sinusoidal signals a phase angle change; and (iii) computing from the first and second quasi-sinusoidal signals a radius value. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A power saving method for a motion estimation device includes: calculating a first differential image at a first time; calculating a second differential image at a second time; comparing the first differential image and the second differential image to obtain a displacement between the first differential image and the second differential image; comparing the displacement with at least one threshold value; and adjusting an emitting cycle of a light source according to a comparison result of comparing the displacement and the threshold value and maintaining a sampling period of the motion estimation device unchanged when adjusting the emitting cycle of the light source. The present invention further provides a motion estimation device.

Abstract: A method, device, and program product are provided for no-look entry of digits in a multi-touch device. A multi-touch screen of the multi-touch device senses an initializing combination of at least one touch. A no-look digit entry application assigns a binary value to each touched location. The multi-touch screen detects at least one combination of at least one touch of the touch screen. The no-look digit entry application determines the locations touched and enters digit inputs corresponding to the sum of the binary values assigned to the locations for each detected combination of touches.

Abstract: An input processing device comprises a display screen and a pointing device for inputting corresponding 2-dimensional coordinates on the display screen. A 3-dimensional space is displayed on the display screen and the 2-dimensional coordinates inputted from the pointing device are detected. Next, shift amounts, per unit of time, of the detected 2-dimensional coordinates are calculated based on a predetermined calculation start condition. And the calculated shift amounts are converted to 3-dimensional coordinate shift amounts in the 3-dimensional space.