A system for interacting with a screen without touching it, comprising a source of radiating energy directed into a predefined area, at least one directionally sensitive sensor that detects the radiation when it's reflected off of an object within the predefined area, and a processor that calculates position and motion information of the object and generates therefrom image information, which it sends to a screen where it is displayed.

Disclosed herein are electronic devices, and methods for their operation, that identify user inputs based on interaction of an object with input surfaces separate from the electronic devices. The electronic devices may include one or more self-mixing interferometry sensors that scan a field of view containing the input surface with a light beam, such as a laser beam emitted laser diode. Self-mixing of the emitted light with reflections can generate a self-mixing interferometry signal. Analysis of the self-mixing interferometry signal can allow for identification of an object, such as a user's finger, in the field of view. Deformation of the finger can be detected with the self-mixing interferometry sensor, and a user input identified therefrom.

A detection device that detects an operation by a user on a display in midair, includes: a control unit that changes a positional relationship between a detection reference detecting the operation and the display, wherein: the control unit is capable of changing the positional relationship by user.

An earbud includes a housing, a speaker mounted within the housing, a processor mounted within the housing, a user input surface on the housing, and a set of self-mixing interferometry (SMI) sensors mounted within the housing. The set of SMI sensors includes a first SMI sensor configured to emit a first beam of light, and a second SMI sensor configured to emit a second beam of light. The second beam of light passes through the user input surface about an axis that is non-perpendicular to the user input surface. The processor is configured to adjust a parameter of the speaker at least partly in response to a first SMI output of the first SMI sensor and a second SMI output of the second SMI sensor.

Disclosed herein are electronic devices, and methods for their operation, that identify user inputs based on interaction of an object with input surfaces separate from the electronic devices. The electronic devices may include one or more self-mixing interferometry sensors that scan a field of view containing the input surface with a light beam, such as a laser beam emitted laser diode. Self-mixing of the emitted light with reflections can generate a self-mixing interferometry signal. Analysis of the self-mixing interferometry signal can allow for identification of an object, such as a user's finger, in the field of view. Deformation of the finger can be detected with the self-mixing interferometry sensor, and a user input identified therefrom.

A system for interacting with a screen without touching it, comprising a source of radiating energy directed into a predefined area, at least one directionally sensitive sensor that detects the radiation when it's reflected off of an object within the predefined area, and a processor that calculates position and motion information of the object and generates therefrom image information, which it sends to a screen where it is displayed.

An input device includes an optical sensor which senses an object on a plane where the emitted light travels, an optical member which changes a path of the light emitted from the optical sensor, and a processing unit which performs input processing based on sensing results of the optical sensor; the optical sensor and the optical member form a first sensing surface consisting of a planar region in which the light emitted from the optical sensor travels and a second sensing surface that is farther from the optical sensor than the first sensing surface, and the processing unit performs the input processing based on a first sensing result of the optical sensor on the first sensing surface and a second sensing result of the optical sensor on the second sensing surface.

An input device is provided that comprises a display component, a detector, and a controller. The display component displays an image. The detector detects a first motion and a second motion. In the first motion, a pointer is slid over a first operation screen that lies in an imaginary plane including at least part of a spatial image that is a virtual image of the image formed in space. In the second motion, the pointer is moved into a second operation screen that lies in the imaginary plane and is different from the first operation screen. The controller executes a first operation to select the image when the first motion is detected, and executes a second operation to execute content of the selected image when the second motion is detected.

A method is described for generating a visible image on a projection surface, in the course of which visible light is emitted from a first laser resonator, the visible light is deflected in the direction of the projection surface with the aid of a deflection element, in particular a micromirror, in order to generate the image, and a light spot of visible light is generated on the deflection element, and invisible light is emitted from a second laser resonator, and a light ring is generated on the deflection element from the invisible light, which enlarges the light spot.

A scanning display system includes smart infrared pulsing to detect gestures and touch events with reduced power consumption. Infrared laser light pulses are emitted at a first density in a field of view and reflections are detected. Times of flight of the infrared laser light pulses are measured to determine if an object is in the field of view. The density of the infrared pulses may be increased based on various factors to detect gestures and touch events. Power consumption is reduced by reducing the density of laser pulses when possible.