An imaging system (fig.1) includes an image array sensor (101) including a plurality of pixels (102). Each pixel (102) generates a signal indicative of the amount of light received on the pixel. The imaging system further includes an analog to digital converter (103) for converting the signals from the pixels into a digital value. The system further includes a memory (106) including a plurality of allocated storage locations for storing the digital values from the converter. The number of allocated storage locations in the memory is less than the number of pixels in the image array sensor.

Image processing system to control vehicle headlamps or other vehicle equipment

A method is described that involves identifying one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. Each marker is positioned on or proximate to a display. The images appear on a pixilated sensor within a handheld device. The method also involves determining a location on, or proximate to, the display where the handheld device was pointed during the identifying. The method also involves sending from the handheld device information derived from the identifying of the one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. The method also involves triggering action taken by electronic equipment circuitry in response to the handheld device's sending of a signal to indicate the action is desired.

Handheld vision based absolute pointing system

The present invention provides a user input device that includes and array of light detectors and a light emitting stylus configured to emit a beam of light detectable by the light detectors. The light beam is wide enough at the plane of the detectors so that at least two detectors are illuminated for all positions of interest. This allows the light beam position to be interpolated to obtain positional resolution that is greater than would be expected simply due to the spacing between detectors. Interpolation can be further aided by using a light beam that has a known variance in cross-sectional intensity. The present invention also provides for determining the orientation of the stylus by comparing the detected shape of the light beam cross-section to the known shape of the light beam cross-section.

Light-emitting stylus and user input device using same

A method for making a secure ID card (100) with multiple images is provided. Information is provided to an information bearing layer (106) which is disposed beneath an outer laminate layer (102, another laminate layer is 114) having lenticules (116a) through (116n) formed thereon, the information (118a) through (118n) constructed and arranged to be capable of providing multiple images when printed information is viewed at different predetermined angles through an appropriate lens. The first surface (104) can also include other information (another surface is 108).

Multiple image security features for identification documents and methods of making same

An optical mouse images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer, allowing the mouse to be physically relocated on the work surface without disturbing the position on the screen of the pointer. This may be needed if the operator runs out of room to physically move the mouse further, but the screen pointer still needs to go further. The hold feature may be implemented with an actual button, a separate proximity detector or by detecting the presence of a characteristic condition in the digitized data, such as loss of correlation or velocity in excess of a selected limit. A convenient place for an actual hold button is along the sides of the mouse near the bottom, where the thumb and the opposing ring finger grip the mouse. The gripping force used to lift the mouse engages the hold function. Hold may incorporate a brief delay upon either the release of the hold button, detection of proper proximity or the return of reasonable digitized values. During that delay any illumination control or AGC servo loops stabilize. A new reference frame is taken prior to the resumption of motion detection.

Proximity detector for a seeing eye mouse

A scanning mouse has two optical navigation sensors to allow measurement of both translation and rotation of the scanning mouse. It also has an image sensor, and the ability to digitize the sensed image data. There may be a second image sensor at perpendicular to the first. A high speed digital data path connects the scanning mouse to the computer. Software in the computer processes image line data that includes the locations of the navigation sensors and the digitized image data to produce partial scanned images that are further assembled into a complete image within the environment of the computer. Each optical navigation sensor images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer.

Scanning mouse for a computer system

A pen like computer pointing device images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the tip of the pen. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A contact sensor senses when the tip of the pointing device is in contact with the work surface. Buttons are included on the body of the pointing device that allow it to function in place of a computer mouse device.

Pen like computer pointing device

A CMOS digital integrated circuit (IC) chip on which an image is captured, digitized, and then processed on-chip in substantially the digital domain. A preferred embodiment comprises imaging circuitry including a photo cell array for capturing an image and generating a representative analog signal, conversion circuitry including an n-bit successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signal to a corresponding digital signal, filter circuitry including a spatial filter for edge and contrast enhancement of the corresponding image, compression circuitry for reducing the digital signal storage needs, correlation circuitry for processing the digital signal to generate result surface on which a minima resides representing a best fit image displacement between the captured image and previous images, interpolation circuitry for mapping the result surface into x- and y-coordinates, and an interface with a device using the chip, such as a hand-held scanner. The filter circuitry, the compression circuitry, the correlation circuitry and the interpolation circuitry are all advantageously embodied in an on-chip digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP embodiment allows precise algorithmic processing of the digitized signal with almost infinite hold time, depending on storage capability. The corresponding mathematical computations are thus no longer subject to the vagaries of CMOS chip structure processing analog signals. As a result, precise and accurate navigation enables a predictable, reliable and manufacturable design. Parameters may also be programmed into the DSP's “software,” making the chip tunable, as well as flexible and adaptable for different applications.

CMOS digital optical navigation chip

A multiple processor integrated circuit has a first processor-first level cache combination powered by a first power terminal, and a second processor-first level cache combination powered by a second power terminal. There is common circuitry coupled to each processor-cache combination. In a particular embodiment, the processor-cache combinations are capable of receiving independently controlled power over the power terminals.

Method and apparatus for conserving power on a multiprocessor integrated circuit

Circuitry is employed to provide an array of photoelements for generating an electrical signal from light energy. The circuit is essentially comprised of a plurality of photoelements including a light-receiving portion, which may include a phototransistor for receiving light and generating electrical energy therefrom, and a non-light-receiving portion, which may include amplification circuitry for properly biasing the phototransistor base and for amplifying the light signal. Within the array, geometric centers of vertically and horizontally adjacent phototransistors are equidistant from one another to form a symmetrical array of photoelements. A relatively high fill factor is achieved by an efficient, symmetrical layout of the photoelements within the array. One main advantage of the high fill factor of the symmetrical array is that it generates a greater light signal than related designs, which eliminates the need for optical magnification of pixels on an original sheet of paper. Additionally, the advantage of the symmetrical array is that the subsequent signal processing of the image captured by the photoreceiving array is not required to correct for unequal distances between geometric centers of adjacent phototransistors.

Derek L. Knee

Papers

Scanning mouse for a computer system

Pen like computer pointing device

CMOS digital optical navigation chip

Method and apparatus for conserving power on a multiprocessor integrated circuit

Photocell layout for high-speed optical navigation microchips