Dual layer optical ball for pointing device
US6218659A · kind A · utility
35Cited by
5References
38Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04109
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A dual-layer optical ball for use in a cursor control pointing device. The ball is illuminated by a light source that emits light signals at, at least, a first wavelength, the ball having an inner layer surface that is capable of diffusing a light signal and an outer layer having a substantially smooth surface that surrounds the inner layer. The outer layer is substantially transparent to light at the first frequency. The inner layer diffuses the light signals at different intensities depending upon an the area of the inner surface that is illuminated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.