Light redirection in optical navigation
US8859971B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2001/061
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical navigation device, such as an optical navigation joystick or mouse, includes an internal redirector which may be separate or formed from material of a touch surface of the optical device. The redirector is disposed at an angle with respect to a plane of the touch surface, operative to reflect light which would otherwise strike the touch surface at a low angle and be internally reflected. The light may be reflected in a direction away from a light sensor of the device, reducing sensed internally reflected light, or may be reflected into the touch surface at a higher angle, potentially increasing a quantity of good signal. The redirector may also include portions which block light directly emitted from a light emitter, or reflected off other surfaces of the navigation device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.