Ball-based device for controlling the movement of a cursor, and optical unit for such a device
US7326913B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 2006 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/03549
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention proposes a device (20) comprising an actuation ball (30, FIG. 13), a casing (22) that surrounds the ball, elements (56) for guiding the ball in rotation, a first detection light source (LS1) for emitting at least one detection beam (EL1), and a detection sensor (126) to capture at least the light (RL1) originating from the lit zone of the ball (30), characterized in that the first light source (LS1) emits an invisible light (EL1), and in that the device comprises a second light source (LS2), distinct from the first light source (LS1) for illuminating the ball (30) that emits a visible illumination light (EL2) towards the ball (30).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.