Optical pointing device
US6762751B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/03543
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical pointing device includes a base which can be a casing of a peripheral device of a computer system having a display using a cursor or a portion of a display system using a cursor. The base defines a cavity having an opening in a surface of the base. An optical sensing system is received and retained in the cavity. The optical sensing system includes a lens located in front of the optical sensing system for directing optical signals toward/away from the optical sensing system. A light-transmitting panel is removably and selectively mounted to the opening of the cavity for covering the cavity. The distance between the panel and the lens is substantially equal to the focusing length of the lens whereby an object moving on the panel can be clearly detected by the optical sensing system and then converted into a corresponding first electrical signal to drive the cursor in a first direction. The pointing device can be placed on a fixed surface with the panel removed and moved with respect to the fixed surface for generating a second electrical signal to drive the cursor in an opposite second direction. A panel detection element is mounted in the body for detecting the presence …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.