Apparatus and method for optically modulating electronic signals and computer data
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for optically modulating computer data and electronic signals, the apparatus comprising:
- a light source, for generating a light beam which can be focused in a plurality of directions;
a light sensor, optically coupled to the light source, for generating a sensor signal directly proportional to each of the plurality of directions of the light beam; and
a modulating means, coupled to the light sensor, for modulating a variable in response to the sensor signal.
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Abstract
A light source for generating a light beam which can be focused in many different directions or varied in intensity under control of a user'"'"'s hand. A light sensor for detecting the focused light beam and generating a sensor signal based on either the light beam'"'"'s area of coverage on the light sensor or the light beam'"'"'s intensity. A modulation apparatus for receiving the sensor signal and in response modulating a computer variable and/or an electronic signal. A freeze circuit for inhibiting modulation when the sensor signal either exceeds or falls below a predetermined maximum or minimum level.
63 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An apparatus for optically modulating computer data and electronic signals, the apparatus comprising:
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a light source, for generating a light beam which can be focused in a plurality of directions; a light sensor, optically coupled to the light source, for generating a sensor signal directly proportional to each of the plurality of directions of the light beam; and a modulating means, coupled to the light sensor, for modulating a variable in response to the sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for optically modulating computer data and electronic signals, the apparatus comprising:
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a light source, for generating a light beam with a plurality of light energies; a light sensor, coupled to the light source, for generating a sensor signal directly proportional to each of the plurality of light energies of the light beam; and a modulating means, coupled to the light sensor, for modulating a variable in response to the sensor signal.
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21. A computer-implemented method for optically modulating computer data and electronic signals, comprising the steps of:
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generating a light beam which can be focused in a plurality of directions; optically coupling the light beam to a light sensor; generating a sensor signal directly proportional to each of the plurality of directions of the light beam; and modulating a variable in response to the sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A computer-implemented method for optically modulating computer data and electronic signals, comprising the steps of:
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generating a light beam with a plurality of light energies; optically coupling the light beam to a light sensor; generating a sensor signal directly proportional to each of the plurality of light energies of the light beam; and modulating a variable in response to the sensor signal.
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28. An apparatus for optically modulating computer data and electronic signals, the apparatus comprising:
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means for generating a light beam which can be focused in a plurality of directions; means for optically coupling the means for generating a light beam to a means for sensing the light beam; means for generating a sensor signal directly proportional to each of the plurality of directions of the light beam; and means for modulating a variable in response to the sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An apparatus for optically modulating computer data and electronic signals, the apparatus comprising:
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means for generating a light beam with a plurality of light energies; means for optically coupling the means for generating a light beam to a means for sensing the light beam; means for generating a sensor signal directly proportional to each of the plurality of light energies of the light beam; and means for modulating a variable in response to the sensor signal.
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Specification