Enhanced Input Peripheral

• US 20070109266A1
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bruce Davis, Geoffrey B. Rhoads, Phillip Seder
• Original Assignee: Bruce Davis, Geoffrey B. Rhoads, Phillip Seder
• Inventors: Davis, Bruce, Rhoads, Geoffrey, Seder, Phillip
• Application Number:
  US11/621,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20070109266A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32229 with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink

Abstract

A peripheral device for use with a computer system includes a housing adapted to fit within a user'"'"'s palm, an optical sensor, a lens, circuitry for processing the signals from the sensor and producing corresponding output data, and a wireless link for relaying the output data from the peripheral device to the computer system. The sensor is useful in acquiring optically-encoded multi-bit information for use by the computer system. Another arrangement includes a substrate on which is formed both a 2D array of optical sensing elements, and a steganographic processor coupled to these elements to effect a steganographic operation. A variety of other novel technologies are also detailed.

Claims

1. A peripheral device for use with a computer system comprising:

a housing adapted to fit within a user'"'"'s palm and slide over a medium;

an illuminator for illuminating the medium;

an optical sensor having plural sensing elements and producing image signals;

a lens for imaging the medium onto the sensor;

circuitry coupled to the sensor and disposed within the housing for processing the signals from the sensor and producing corresponding output data; and

a wireless link for relaying the output data from the peripheral device to the computer system;

wherein said sensor is useful in acquiring optically-encoded multi-bit information from said medium for use by said computer system.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the circuitry within said housing analyzes the image signals and produces multi-bit information corresponding thereto.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the circuitry comprises a decoder for discerning steganographically-encoded information represented in said image signals.

4. The device of claim 1 in which the circuitry comprises a decoder for discerning bar code information represented in said image signals.

5. The device of claim 1 in which the optically encoded information comprises a plural-bit identifier.

6. A peripheral device for use with a computer system comprising:

a housing adapted to fit within a user'"'"'s palm and slide over a medium;

an optical sensor having plural sensing elements and producing image signals;

a lens for imaging the medium onto the sensor;

circuitry coupled to the sensor and disposed within the housing for processing the signals from the sensor and producing corresponding output data;

a wireless link for relaying the output data from the peripheral device to the computer system; and

a display for presenting data received from the computer system;

wherein said sensor is useful in acquiring optically-encoded multi-bit information from said medium for use by said computer system.

7. A system including a device and a computer apparatus comprising:

a housing adapted to fit within a user'"'"'s palm and position over a medium;

an illuminator for illuminating the medium;

an optical sensor having plural sensing elements and producing image signals;

a lens for imaging the medium onto the sensor;

circuitry coupled to the sensor and disposed within the housing for processing signals from the sensor corresponding to a machine-readable indicia, and producing corresponding multi-bit binary output data decoded from said indicia; and

transfer means for relaying the output data from the device to the computer apparatus;

wherein said circuitry is integrated on a common substrate with said sensing elements.

8. The system of claim 7 in which the machine-readable indicia comprises artwork that is steganographically encoded to convey multi-bit binary data.

9. The system of claim 8 in which the artwork comprises a photograph.

10. The system of claim 8 in which:

the device includes a user interface control; and

the circuitry performs steganographic decoding only when said control is activated by a user.

11. The system of claim 7 in which the machine-readable indicia comprises a bar code.

12. The system of claim 7 in which the multi-bit data is associated with an internet address, and the system includes a display for presenting image data downloaded from said internet address.

13. A device including a substrate having formed thereon both a 2D array of optical sensing elements for producing sensor data, and a steganographic processor coupled to said elements to effect a steganographic operation on said sensor data.

14. In a mouse having X- and Y- position encoders, and circuitry responsive thereto for generating X- and Y- movement data and providing same to an associated computer, an improvement comprising an optical sensor disposed in said mouse, and circuitry responsive thereto for producing grey-scale optical image data and for providing same to the associated computer, wherein the mouse serves both as a positioning device and as an optical input device.

15. In a method of operating a computer system that includes an internet web browser, an improvement comprising:

providing a peripheral device having a sensor;

positioning the peripheral device adjacent a first object to direct the web browser to a first address; and

positioning the peripheral device adjacent a second object to direct the web browser to a second address.