Abstract: An optical mouse is provided with a light guide. The light guide has a collecting surface, a single reflection surface and an exit surface, guiding a light of a light source to a tracking surface through three interface engagements of a refraction, a reflection and a refraction, so as to reduce optical power loss caused by too many interface engagements, and to increase a gazing angle of the light incident to the tracking surface. An array of micro-lenses, as a light diffuser, can be set on the exit surface to improve optical characteristics and distribution of the light incident to the tracking surface.

Abstract: An optical biological information measuring apparatus includes a measuring surface to be placed on the surface of a living body, a mark display section which displays a mark at a region to be measured on the surface of the living body, a light-emitting section which irradiates the living body with light of a predetermined wavelength and a light-receiving section which receives light irradiated onto the living body and returned from the living body, and measures information on the living body based on the received light. The optical biological information measuring apparatus is capable of measuring biological information with improved alignment accuracy.

Abstract: A shape-changeable camera mouse includes a first casing and a second casing. The first casing includes an image pickup module for shooting an object. When an included angle is defined between the first casing and the second casing, the shape-changeable camera mouse is operated in a mouse mode. Whereas, when the first casing and the second casing are parallel with each other, the shape-changeable camera mouse is operated in a camera mode.

Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a roller having a center shaft protruding along a center axis, a bearing for supporting the center shaft of the roller to allow the roller to rotate about the center axis, a ring magnet fixed to the center shaft of the roller, an elastic member having a ring shape provided between the center shaft of the roller and the bearing, and a fixed magnet facing the ring magnet. The ring magnet is alternately magnetized to an S-pole and an N-pole with predetermined angular intervals. This rotary actuator has a simple structure and operates with a preferable operation feeling.

Abstract: A cushioned cap for a control stick of an electronic device defining a recess for receiving at least a portion of a control stick. The recess includes a lower portion and an upper portion.

Abstract: A lift detection method for an optical mouse and an optical mouse with a lift detection function are presented. An average brightness value of pixels captured by part of sensing units of an image sensor is computed after each scanning, and two average brightness values obtained from two adjacent times of scanning are compared, to determine a brightness change of the pixels in each scanning, thereby acquiring a placing state of the optical mouse accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes gift key and host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. A local computer automatically launches a website at host or retailer levels when the gift key is linked to the local computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical navigation device based on production on wafer scale, in which both the illumination path and the imaging lens system are integrated on a common carrier structure. The optical navigation devices according to the invention are used for controlling a cursor on an image output device or in the field of finger navigation.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and method for moving a cursor and executing a menu function in respons to operations of a navigation key by the user are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes an optical sensor navigation key installed in the mobile terminal, wherein the navigation key senses a direction of movement and speed of movement of an object that contacts the navigation key and outputs signals based on the sensed speed and direction, and a controller configured to control an operation of the mobile terminal in response to the signals from the optical sensor navigation key. The optical sensor navigation key, which is a new type of user interface, is provided so that the user can operate the mobile terminal simply, conveniently and precisely.

Abstract: A handheld electronic communication device features an optically based user input device and navigation tool. In one embodiment, the optically based user input device features a translucent domed lens and a light source to illuminate a user's finger as the user slides his finger over the domed lens. In another embodiment, the optically based user input device features a translucent ball that the user rotates. In both embodiments, optical means are used to measure movement of the user's finger and translate that movement into a navigational command to the handheld electronic communication device. The optically based user input device is further configured such that an entry command is entered by depressing the optically based user input device.

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: An optical mouse testing device includes a testing frame, a control unit, a transmission unit, a rolling unit and an indicating unit. An optical mouse to be tested is placed on an upper surface of the testing frame. The control unit is used for driving the transmission unit according to the route coordinate data. The transmission unit is used for rendering a rolling motion of a ball of the rolling unit. The optical mouse senses the rolling motion of the ball, thereby providing a route coordinate data to the control unit. The control unit compares the route control signal with the route coordinate data, thereby generating an indicating signal to indicate a testing result.

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: The present invention provides a calibration method of projection effect. The calibration method of projection effect according to the invention comprises the following steps. The first, step (a) is performed to make an optical navigation system move along a predetermined trace relative to an object plane. Then, step (b) is performed to sense the predetermined trace by a sensor to obtain a projection trace. The next, step (c) is performed to calculate a projection effect value according to the included angle between a reflected light and the object plane. Finally, step (d) is performed to calibrate the projection trace with the projection effect value to obtain a calibration trace which is in proportion to the predetermined trace.

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: Control device for a computer mouse. In order to enhance comfort as much as possible and to avoid or even cure RSI phenomena, a control device is proposed with a curved finger-supporting element and thumb-supporting element with varying curvatures. Optimum support for the hand and fingers (thumb) is obtained if there is a certain correlation between the length over which the hand, including the fingers, is supported and the width available for supporting the fingers. This value is preferably in the range 0.3-0.6 and more specifically is 0.45. Furthermore, the curvature and height of the finger-supporting element and thumb-supporting element must be implemented such that they are a function of the length of the control device. According to a particular embodiment the finger-supporting element is implemented such that, when viewed transversely, this descends from the highest point in a circle.

Abstract: A multifunctional optical mouse includes a first light sources, a second light source, an orientation detecting unit, a transparent touch input area, an imaging unit and a processing unit. The second light source is arranged along a side of the transparent touch input area. The system includes a multifunctional optical mouse, and a computer. The system is switched between a mouse mode and a touch input mode according to the orientation of the mouse. The present disclosure also provides an input method applied in the computer system.

Abstract: A pointing device that can interface with a graphical user interface of a computer or other electronic device. The pointing device includes a body having an upper portion and an underside. Also included is a tracking assembly having at least one sensor to detect movement and output a control signal responsive to the detected movement. The pointing device further includes several customization features. The customization features include mechanical customization features and software customization features. At least some of the mechanical customization features are configured to be replaceable. Such replaceable customization features are releasably mechanically coupled to the pointing device body.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved multi-axis joysticks and associated multi-axis optical displacement measurement means. The joystick may comprise elements movable with respect to each other in at least, e.g., three degrees of freedom and comprise ionically conductive elements that are utilized to generate a position signal in, e.g., at least three, or at least six degrees of freedom. Various ergonomic configurations of six axis joystick embodiments which may be facilitated by the compact design of the transducer means are disclosed. Means for dynamically adjusting coordinate transformations for construction machinery control are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the remote control and/or interaction-with electronic-devices such as computers; home-entertainment-systems; media-centers; televisions; DVD-players; VCR-players; music systems; appliances; security systems; toys/games; and/or displays. A user may orient a pointer (e.g., laser pointer) to place a visible pointer-spot on/near object(s) on an active-display(s); and/or a fixed-display(s); and/or on real-world object(s) within a display region or pointer-spot detection-region. Detectors and/or camera(s) may be connected/attached to the display region and/or a structure that is connected/attached to display region. When the user initiates a “select”, the detectors/cameras may detect the location of the pointer-spot within the display region. Corresponding to the user's selection(s); control action(s) may be performed on the device(s) being controlled/interacted-with and additional selection-menus may be optionally presented on an active-display.

Abstract: An optical tracking system is disclosed that provides more precise tracking and better performance in an optical mouse. It involves provides a collimated laser, and imaging a reflection of the collimated laser, such that the reflection has a substantially linear phase gradient. The reflection of the laser includes a pattern of speckles due to optical interference effects. The speckles are imaged such that the substantially linear phase gradient restricts any variation in intensity of the imaging of the speckles during a translating motion of the reflection, thereby providing superior tracking performance.

Abstract: A system and method for performing optical navigation uses an illumination optical element positioned between a light source and a navigation surface to bend and collimate a beam of light from the light source, which may be originally emitted in a direction normal to the navigation surface. The illumination optical element includes a concave surface to receive the beam of light from the light source and a convex surface to transmit the beam of light from the illumination optical element toward the navigation surface. The beam of light incident on the navigation surface produces light, which is received at an image sensor array to capture frames of image data for displacement estimation.

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: An optical mouse includes an optical sensor, a number of different light sources, a light source switching module, and a controller. The controller determines the intensity of the reflected light sensed by the optical sensor when any of the light sources is turned on. If the determined intensity is less than a predetermined value, the controller directs the light source switching module to turn off a currently turned on light source and turn on another one of the light sources in sequence. A related light source switching method is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully-integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming a store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes a gift key and a host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. The gift key has a housing, an integrated circuit within the housing, and a connector or wireless interface extending from the housing so as to allow linkage of the gift key with a computer remotely located with respect to the host and retailer sites.

Abstract: An optical navigation system with a lift detection module is provided for preventing cursor movement if the optical navigation system has been lifted from the navigation surface. The optical navigation system may include an image sensor, a controller and a lift detection module. The lift detection module may be operatively coupled with the image sensor and the controller to selectively report a motion data upon determining a lift by comparing the average of the photosensitive pixel elements with a pixel element threshold value and the surface quality value with a surface quality threshold value. The lift detection module may be incorporated in a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller may be added to a navigation system to provide an additional lift detection feature.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for operation in a surface navigation mode and a free space navigation mode is described. One embodiment of the optical navigation device includes a microcontroller, a surface navigation sensor, and a free space navigation sensor. The surface and free space navigation sensors are coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to process a movement of the optical navigation device. The surface navigation sensor is configured to generate a surface navigation signal in response to a surface navigation image. The free space navigation sensor is configured to generate a free space navigation signal in response to a free space navigation image. Embodiments of the optical navigation device facilitate an integrated optical solution to provide desktop navigation and scene navigation in a single optical navigation device.

Abstract: A slender wheel mouse includes a mouse case, a base, a circuit board, a supporting member, a tilt frame, a slender wheel, an encoder, a slender ratchet, a resilience sheet and several switch elements. The slender ratchet is engaged with the slender wheel to drive the encoder. The slender wheel has a relatively smaller diameter and thus the height of the mouse case is reduced.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a control element, particularly for automotive electronics, having programmable haptics. Moments of force or a variation of the friction moments are formed on a control element by dynamically adapting the operative currents of electromagnetic arrays in dependence of the adjustment path. The force/path behavior (tactile feedback) of the control element can be modified at will during use so that the actuation forces for different operative functions can be varied. The tactile feedback of the moments of force on the control element takes by way of a locking piece, which, for example, can be comprised of at least one locking disc and a spring, which can be rendered active or inactive via an electromagnetic array.

Abstract: To provide a mouse having a mousse function of being able to input relative position information and a function of being able to input absolute position information while enabling a user to accurately designate a reading position of a code by visual recognition.

Abstract: A planarized laser mouse includes left and right base plates; insulative left and right plate members on the left and right base plates respectively, each plate member comprising stop and retaining grooves; left and right scissor-shaped structure assemblies each having at least one scissor-shaped structure pivotably secured to the stop grooves and the first retaining grooves of the left and right membrane plates beneath respectively; and left and right buttons each comprising, on a bottom, a plurality of pivot grooves, a plurality of second retaining grooves, and a central pressing member aligned with the recess of the elastic member, wherein the pivot and second retaining grooves of the left and right buttons are pivotably secured to the at least one scissor-shaped structure of the left and right scissor-shaped structure assemblies beneath respectively.

Abstract: An optical navigation apparatus comprises a substrate with a sensor integrated circuit and an infrared source formed thereon; a sensor cover shielding the sensor integrated circuit and the infrared source; at least one visible light source formed outside the sensor cover and electrically connected with the substrate; a light guide located outside the sensor cover and covering the visible light source; and an outer housing covering the light guide and the substrate, and the outer housing comprises an infrared window and a side wall capable of guiding visible light towards and illuminating a region of the outer housing. In such an arrangement, the outer housing of the present invention is not only used as a casing for protection, but also served as light guide and distribution structure to reflect and re-distribute light sufficiently to achieve a uniform illuminated character shape.

Abstract: An interactive device of improving image processing. The interactive device includes a processing module and a control circuit. The processing module includes a substrate, an image sensor for generating a plurality of pixel signals, and an estimation unit for determining a static parameter of at least one image object of the image based on the plurality of pixel signals. A transmission interface is used for serially outputting a control signal based on the static parameter determined by the estimation unit. The interactive device also includes a controller for controlling operation of the interactive device based on the control signal based on the static parameters corresponding to each image object. The image sensor, the estimation unit, and the transmission interface are all formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A computer mouse includes a control module and a light emitting module connected to the control module. When the light emitting module is connected to a power supply of a computer by the control module, the control module detects intensity of ambient light around the computer mouse and controls the light emitting module to turn on/off according to the detected ambient light intensity.

Abstract: A computer mouse includes a driver module, a plurality of wheels, a control module, and a plurality of sensors. The control module is electrically connected to the driver module and the sensors, and is capable of controlling the driver module to drive the wheels. The driver module is capable of providing driving force and driving the wheels. The sensors are capable of sensing movement information of the computer mouse, and the control module controls the driver module to adjust the movement state of the wheels according to the movement information. Thus, the sensors can accurately sense and obtain the movement information to prevent the computer mouse from falling from a support plane.

Abstract: A computer input device and computer system are provided that determine if the input device is at an edge of a pattern on a working surface based on an image of the working surface captured by the input device. An audio control message is generated based on the input device being positioned on the edge of the pattern and the audio control message is used to cause a speaker to generate an audio signal.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus and method for a three-dimensional graphical user interface are provided. The apparatus includes an input unit that has a plurality of trackballs, in a space containing a certain plane and an-axis crossing the plane at a right angle, for navigation in a direction of the plane and the-axis, a detecting unit that detects a combination of the plurality of trackball movements and generates an input signal, a mapping table that defines the relationship between the input signal and the command for the navigation, and a graphics object control unit that performs the navigation corresponding to the input signal.

Abstract: A video game application provided on storage media such as optical disks readable by computers, video game consoles, or other electronic devices to provide a ring dance game including sensing movement and position of two handheld controllers. The game method includes displaying a heads up display (HUD) on a screen that includes a dance ring defined by six or more target elements or ring segments that are positioned in different zones of the HUD ring such as on the periphery of the dance ring. Cue elements associated with a right hand controller and a left hand controller emanate in a pattern from the ring center and travel outward in the differing zones to strike the target elements. Play involves a player dancing by moving the handheld controllers in response to the cues striking the target elements, which allows a game designer to create a dance game with multi-directional, two-hand cues.

Abstract: An optical device for controlling a projector is provided. The projector projects a projection image. The optical device includes a receiving module, a mode switching module, and a transmission module. The receiving module is capable of sensing a reflected signal of the projection image. The mode switching module is capable of generating a control signal to control the projector to switch from a first mode to a second mode. The transmission module is capable of transmitting the reflected signal and the control signal to the projector. A projection system including the projector and the optical device is also provided.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for entering control signals to a peripheral unit. The device contains means which sense movements of the device relative to an essentially flat surface, such that movements of the device on the essentially flat surface fills the same function as the movements of a standard computer mouse. The part of the device graspable by a user is rotatable in a plane relative to the part of the device containing means for sensing movements relative to the essentially flat surface. The invention also concerns a combination of such a device and a peripheral unit.

Abstract: An optical trace detecting module is disposed in a computer input device. The computer input device is able to displace on a plane relatively, and has a light-pervious plate used for an object to contact with and move on a surface thereof. The optical trace detecting module includes a circuit board, a first projection set, a second projection set, and at least one optical path diverting element. An optical sensor is electrically disposed on the circuit board. The first projection set is opposite to the light-pervious plate. The second projection set is opposite to the plane. The optical path diverting element is disposed between the two projection sets and the optical sensor, so as to direct the sensing beams emitted by the two projection sets to reach the optical sensor, thereby generating corresponding control signals.

Abstract: A display pointing device (10) includes a fingerprint sensing circuit (18) that optically senses, for example, a portion of a fingerprint or other skin texture, and a fingerprint movement detection circuit (20), operatively coupled to the fingerprint sensing circuit (18), that is operative to determine a direction of movement and a rate of movement of skin texture being sensed by the fingerprint sensing circuit (18) to produce pointing output data (24) for a display (12). The pointing output data (24) may be, for example, data representing a visual indication of a position on a display screen, such as a position of a cursor or of highlighted text, or any other suitable position indication. A method for providing pointing information for display includes sensing a fingerprint, determining a direction of movement and a rate of movement of the fingerprint and producing a pointing output for display based on a determined direction of movement and rate of movement of the sensed fingerprint.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit includes a plurality of capacitors, a network of switches and a control circuit. The control circuit is operable to control the network of switches so as to sample an incoming signal onto at least some of the plurality of capacitors. In such an operation, each capacitor takes a sample of the incoming signal at a different time. The sample and hold circuit outputs a signal corresponding to an average of the samples.

Abstract: A mouse includes a base (100), function keys (110) arranged on the base (100), an optical transmitting and receiving device (300) used for transmitting and receiving data information and a finger-back pressure plate (200) movably connected with the base (100). The mouse is small, convenient to carry and operate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a peripheral device, comprising a sensor to trip when in proximity to a host device, and a transmitter coupled to the sensor to transmit a bind request to a host device. Further described is a method of binding the peripheral device to a host device.

Abstract: Provided is an optical navigation device and a method of operating the same.

Abstract: An optical device comprises an outer case including a light transmitting work area, an optical lens inside the outer case, and an optical sensor device inside the outer case, wherein an imaging pathway from the work area through the optical lens to the optical sensor device is non-perpendicular to the work area.

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

Abstract: A computer peripheral that may operate as a hand-held scanner and, in some embodiments, also as a conventional computer mouse. The components incorporated in the device to support scanning may be compact and may be positioned to allow flexibility in shaping a housing of the device. As a result, the device may be ergonomically shaped to facilitate hand-held use as either a scanner or a mouse. Controls, for mouse or scanner operation, may be readily incorporated into the device. The components may also be low cost. Such a low cost, compact design may be achieved through an appropriate selection of curved reflective surfaces in optical paths through the housing. The curved reflective surface may selectively focus or spread light traveling along an optical path, reducing or eliminating the need for lenses and may enable light emitting elements and an image array to be mounted on the same printed circuit board.