In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for an advanced computer input device with a rotational degree of freedom (z.sub.rot) in addition to two translation degrees of freedom (x and y), in an easy and intuitive fashion. A plurality of independent position sensors may be arranged on a lower surface of the computer input device, each determining a direction and velocity of motion of the input device when in use. The detected directions and velocities may be compared to determine whether a rotational motion of the input device has been applied as opposed to (or in addition to) a translation.

An optical processing apparatus and a light source luminance adjustment method adapted to detect a rotational displacement and a pressing state are provided. The optical processing apparatus includes a light source unit, a processing unit, and an image sensing unit, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the light source unit and the image sensing unit. The light source unit provides a beam of light. The processing unit defines a frame rate, defines a plurality of time instants within a time interval, and sets the light source unit to a luminance value at each of the time instants. A length of the time interval is shorter than the reciprocal of the frame rate. The luminance values are different and are within a range. The image sensing unit captures an image by an exposure time length at each of the time instants, wherein the exposure time lengths are the same.

A method of an optical sensor apparatus which is to be used with a controlling device arranged for controlling an object having a long shape and flexible form of a material, includes: using a light emitting circuit to generate and output a light ray to a surface of a portion of the object; sensing the light ray reflected from the surface for multiple times to generate multiple images; detecting at least one motion image in the generated multiple images; and, determining a motion, an offset, or a rotation angle of the object, which is controlled by the thread controlling device, according to the detected at least one motion image.

Provided is a method for unlocking by use of a knob. The method is applied to an electronic device provided with an operation knob. The method includes the following steps: detecting (1) an action of the operation knob in a screen locked state in real time; and starting (2) an unlocking program in response to rotation of the operation knob: calculating the rotational circumferential distance of the operation knob along the current rotational direction, determining whether the rotational circumferential distance of the operation knob reaches a preset circumferential distance, controlling the electronic device to unlock in response to the rotational circumferential distance of the operation knob reaching the preset circumferential distance, and unlocking failed and returning to step (1) in response to the rotational circumferential distance of the operation knob not reaching the preset circumferential distance.

A user interface includes a rotatable ring for controlling a function on an associated device, and a support ring for supporting the rotatable ring. The support ring includes a plurality of biasing elements, and a plurality of engagement members rotatably mounted on the biasing elements and configured to engage the rotatable ring so as to preload the biasing elements and thereby (i) biasing the rotatable ring toward a center position in which a central axis of the rotatable ring is coincident with a central axis of the support ring, and (ii) increasing resistance to rotational movement of the rotatable ring.

The present disclosure is related to an optical encoder which is configured to provide precise coding reference data by feature recognition technology. To apply the present disclosure, it is not necessary to provide particular dense patterns on a working surface. The precise coding reference data can be generated by detecting surface features of the working surface.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, comprising: receiving, by a media processor including a processor, spherical audiovisual media content from a content delivery network; rendering, by the media processor, video for a point of view in the spherical audiovisual media content at a display device coupled to the media processor; receiving, from a remote control device coupled to the media processor, a control signal panning the point of view, resulting in a new field of view; and generating, by the media processor, audio signals from the spherical audiovisual media content corresponding to the new field of view, wherein the audio signals are adapted to audio reproduction equipment coupled to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A switch module for an electronic device detects translational inputs and defines at least portion of a conductive path from an input surface of the electronic device to a processing unit of the electronic device. The switch module may be a component of a crown assembly for detecting rotational inputs, translational inputs, touch inputs and/or biological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The switch module may include a conductive dome and a friction guard that is positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member of the crown assembly. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may define at least a portion of the conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit.

A compound-operation input device includes an operating member; a rotary mechanism configured to hold the operating member such that the operating member is rotatable; a slide mechanism configured to support the operating member such that the operating member is slidable in a sliding direction intersecting a rotation axis of the rotary mechanism; and a noncontact detector including a plurality of noncontact sensors and configured to detect a direction of movement and an amount of movement of a detection object, the detection object moving together with the operating member. The noncontact detector is one of a pair of noncontact detectors provided across the rotation axis from each other on a rotation locus of the detection object, the pair of noncontact detectors being at respective positions on a straight line orthogonal to the sliding direction.

While one type of input, either a mouse input or a joystick input, may be preferred for one type of a game, it may not be preferred, or even compatible, for another type of a game. Introduced herein is a game controller that employs a dedicated input, which is capable of the absolute accuracy of a mouse input or trackball input, but is also capable of measuring how far off center the input is (e.g., how far off center it has moved), and can also return to center when released, as is present in a joystick input. The introduced game controller integrates a touch sensing trackball to enjoy the benefits of both the mouse type input and joystick type input, in a single dedicated input, providing a user freedom to play any type of game without worrying about the compatibility of their game controllers.