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.

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 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.

An input device for a computer, wherein the input device eliminates the impacts caused by sudden stops during the pressing of a button portion provided on the input device for a computer, and thereby prevents a user's fingers and wrists from being strained.

A rotation operation device includes: a rotation shaft including a first end portion and a second end portion spaced apart from each other in an axial direction of the rotation shaft; a knob having conductivity, the knob being provided at the first end portion of the rotation shaft and being configured to rotate the rotation shaft; a touch sensor configured to detect a contact with the knob; and an elastic body having conductivity, the elastic body including a first end connected to the knob and a second end connected to the touch sensor. The knob includes a surface facing in the axial direction of the rotation shaft towards the second end portion of the rotation shaft, the surface of the knob includes a recess portion recessed in the axial direction, and the first end of the elastic body is disposed in the recess portion.

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.

An input device may include a housing, a scroll wheel having an arresting surface, and a lever pivotable about a pivot axis between first and second lever arms of the lever for moving a first free end portion of the first lever arm to engage or disengage the arresting surface. The input device may further include a motion converter in engagement with a second free end portion of a second lever arm. The motion converter configured to convert a rotational movement of a rotary member of the motion converter into an output motion to move the second free end portion of the second lever arm so as to pivot the lever about the pivot axis for engaging or disengaging the first free end portion of the first lever arm and the arresting surface of the scroll wheel.

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.

An input device may include a housing, a scroll wheel having an arresting surface, and a lever pivotable about a pivot axis between first and second lever arms of the lever for moving a first free end portion of the first lever arm to engage or disengage the arresting surface. The input device may further include a motion converter in engagement with a second free end portion of a second lever arm. The motion converter configured to convert a rotational movement of a rotary member of the motion converter into an output motion to move the second free end portion of the second lever arm so as to pivot the lever about the pivot axis for engaging or disengaging the first free end portion of the first lever arm and the arresting surface of the scroll wheel.

An input device includes a casing, a base member, a ball member, a control ring and a gravity wheel. The casing includes an upper cover and a lower cover. The upper cover has an opening. The ball member is installed on the base member. The ball member is partially exposed outside the opening. The control ring is arranged around the base member. The control ring is partially exposed outside the opening. The control ring is freely rotatable around the base member. The control ring includes a first inclined part, a rack structure, and a lateral wall. The lateral wall is connected with the first inclined part and the rack structure. The gravity wheel is engaged with the rack structure. Consequently, the rotation of the control ring is suppressed by the gravity wheel.