Enhanced Input Peripheral

Abstract

A peripheral device for use with a computer system includes a housing adapted to fit within a user's palm, an optical sensor, a lens, circuitry for processing the signals from the sensor and producing corresponding output data, and a wireless link for relaying the output data from the peripheral device to the computer system. The sensor is useful in acquiring optically-encoded multi-bit information for use by the computer system. Another arrangement includes a substrate on which is formed both a 2D array of optical sensing elements, and a steganographic processor coupled to these elements to effect a steganographic operation. A variety of other novel technologies are also detailed.

1 . A peripheral device for use with a computer system comprising: 
 a housing adapted to fit within a user's palm and slide over a medium;    an illuminator for illuminating the medium;    an optical sensor having plural sensing elements and producing image signals;    a lens for imaging the medium onto the sensor;    circuitry coupled to the sensor and disposed within the housing for processing the signals from the sensor and producing corresponding output data; and    a wireless link for relaying the output data from the peripheral device to the computer system;    wherein said sensor is useful in acquiring optically-encoded multi-bit information from said medium for use by said computer system.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  in which the circuitry within said housing analyzes the image signals and produces multi-bit information corresponding thereto.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  in which the circuitry comprises a decoder for discerning steganographically-encoded information represented in said image signals.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  in which the circuitry comprises a decoder for discerning bar code information represented in said image signals.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  in which the optically encoded information comprises a plural-bit identifier.  
     
     
         6 . A peripheral device for use with a computer system comprising: 
 a housing adapted to fit within a user's palm and slide over a medium;    an optical sensor having plural sensing elements and producing image signals;    a lens for imaging the medium onto the sensor;    circuitry coupled to the sensor and disposed within the housing for processing the signals from the sensor and producing corresponding output data;    a wireless link for relaying the output data from the peripheral device to the computer system; and    a display for presenting data received from the computer system;    wherein said sensor is useful in acquiring optically-encoded multi-bit information from said medium for use by said computer system.    
     
     
         7 . A system including a device and a computer apparatus comprising: 
 a housing adapted to fit within a user's palm and position over a medium;    an illuminator for illuminating the medium;    an optical sensor having plural sensing elements and producing image signals;    a lens for imaging the medium onto the sensor;    circuitry coupled to the sensor and disposed within the housing for processing signals from the sensor corresponding to a machine-readable indicia, and producing corresponding multi-bit binary output data decoded from said indicia; and    transfer means for relaying the output data from the device to the computer apparatus;    wherein said circuitry is integrated on a common substrate with said sensing elements.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  in which the machine-readable indicia comprises artwork that is steganographically encoded to convey multi-bit binary data.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  in which the artwork comprises a photograph.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  in which: 
 the device includes a user interface control; and    the circuitry performs steganographic decoding only when said control is activated by a user.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  in which the machine-readable indicia comprises a bar code.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  in which the multi-bit data is associated with an internet address, and the system includes a display for presenting image data downloaded from said internet address.  
     
     
         13 . A device including a substrate having formed thereon both a 2D array of optical sensing elements for producing sensor data, and a steganographic processor coupled to said elements to effect a steganographic operation on said sensor data.  
     
     
         14 . In a mouse having X- and Y- position encoders, and circuitry responsive thereto for generating X- and Y- movement data and providing same to an associated computer, an improvement comprising an optical sensor disposed in said mouse, and circuitry responsive thereto for producing grey-scale optical image data and for providing same to the associated computer, wherein the mouse serves both as a positioning device and as an optical input device.  
     
     
         15 . In a method of operating a computer system that includes an internet web browser, an improvement comprising: 
 providing a peripheral device having a sensor;    positioning the peripheral device adjacent a first object to direct the web browser to a first address; and    positioning the peripheral device adjacent a second object to direct the web browser to a second address.