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.

A system and method displays information using a vehicle-mount computer. The system includes (i) an input device and a display device for inputting and displaying information; (ii) a motion detector for detecting vehicle motion; (iii) a proximity sensor for detecting proximity to an item; and (vi) a vehicle-mount computer in communication with the input device, the display device, the motion detector, and the proximity sensor, the vehicle-mount computer including a central processing unit and memory. The vehicle-mount computer's central processing unit is configured to store information associated with user-selected information from the input device and to display a zoomed view of the user-selected information on the display device. Further, the vehicle-mount computer's central processing unit is configured to override screen-blanking when user-selected information is displayed.

Method and apparatus is disclosed for a user to communicate with an electronic device. A processor receives user intention actions comprising facial expression (FE) information indicative of facial expressions and body information indicative of motion or position of one or more body parts of the user. When the FE or body information crosses a first level, the processor starts generating first signals based on the FE or body information to communicate with the electronic device. When the FE or body information crosses a second level, the processor can end generation of the first signals or modify the first signals. An image processing or eye gaze tracking system can provide some FE information or body information. The signals can modify attributes of an object of interest. Use of thresholds that are independent of sensor position or orientation with respect to the user's body are also disclosed.

A gaze monitoring system comprising: an eye tracker comprising; a camera having an optical axis; a first IR source configured to illuminate a user's eyes; the first IR source located relatively near the optical axis of the camera; and at least one second IR source configured to illuminate the user's eyes, the at least one second IR source located relatively far from the camera's optical axis, in a position such that when the gaze angle is too large to get corneal reflection images of the first IR source, the image reflection of the at least one second IR source is visible by the camera, as a corneal reflection.

A virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) system includes: a display configured to display a user interface to a user; an integrated scrollwheel and fingerprint sensor (FPS) user input apparatus, comprising a scrollwheel configured to detect a rotational navigation input from the user and an FPS configured to detect a biometric input from the user; and a processing system configured to: receive the rotational navigation input via the scrollwheel of the integrated scrollwheel and FPS user input apparatus; update a displayed user interface on the display based on the received rotational navigation input, wherein updating the displayed user interface comprises updating a user selection on a displayed menu; receive an activation input for the updated user selection on the displayed menu via the FPS of the integrated scrollwheel and FPS user input apparatus; and execute an operation corresponding to the updated user selection on the displayed menu.

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.

In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a hybrid position and rate control input device comprising: a housing comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; a force-detecting sensor configured to detect a translation or rotation of the upper portion relative to the lower portion; a motion-detecting sensor within one of the upper portion and the lower portion of the housing, configured to detect motion of the housing relative to a surface; a communication interface positioned within the housing; and a processor positioned within the housing configured to select between a first translation signal from the motion-detecting sensor and a second translation signal from the force-detecting sensor; and transmit, via the communication interface to a computing device, the selected translation signal.

A virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) system includes: a display configured to display a user interface to a user; an integrated scrollwheel and fingerprint sensor (FPS) user input apparatus, comprising a scrollwheel configured to detect a rotational navigation input from the user and an FPS configured to detect a biometric input from the user; and a processing system configured to: receive the rotational navigation input via the scrollwheel of the integrated scrollwheel and FPS user input apparatus; update a displayed user interface on the display based on the received rotational navigation input, wherein updating the displayed user interface comprises updating a user selection on a displayed menu; receive an activation input for the updated user selection on the displayed menu via the FPS of the integrated scrollwheel and FPS user input apparatus; and execute an operation corresponding to the updated user selection on the displayed menu.

An electronic device is described. The electronic device may include a housing, a rotatable crown, and a self-mixing interferometry (SMI) sensor positioned within the housing. The rotatable crown may include an array of retroreflective surface features that reflect incident light back to a light source. Each retroreflective surface feature of the array of retroreflective surface features may be formed as a corner-cube with three perpendicular faces. The SMI sensor or associated processing electronics may compare originally emitted light with reflected light to identify a movement or distance of the rotatable crown with respect to the SMI sensor.

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.