Optical trackball device and electronic apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A trackball device comprising:
- (a) a ball which is an operating member for operating said trackball device;
(b) a support member for rotatably supporting said ball;
(c) a light emitter for emitting light to said ball;
(d) a detector for detecting light reflected on said ball against said light emitted from said light emitter; and
(e) a controller for controlling said light emitter and said detector;
wherein said ball partially transmits said light from said light emitter so as to illuminate said ball.
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Abstract
An optical trackball device of the present invention configures a ball, an operating member, using a material that partially transmits light, and this ball is rotatably supported by a support member. Light emitted from a light emitter disposed beneath the ball is reflected on this ball. A detector detects the reflected light to identify rotation of the ball. Since the light from the light emitter is partially transmitted through the ball, the ball can be illuminated without providing an additional component. Accordingly, a location of the ball is easily recognizable even in a dark place.
31 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A trackball device comprising:
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(a) a ball which is an operating member for operating said trackball device;
(b) a support member for rotatably supporting said ball;
(c) a light emitter for emitting light to said ball;
(d) a detector for detecting light reflected on said ball against said light emitted from said light emitter; and
(e) a controller for controlling said light emitter and said detector;
wherein said ball partially transmits said light from said light emitter so as to illuminate said ball. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic apparatus comprising:
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(a) a trackball device comprising;
(a-1) a ball which is an operating member for operating said trackball device;
(a-2) a support member for rotatably supporting said ball;
(a-3) a light emitter for emitting light to said ball, a part of said light from said light emitter being transmitted through said ball for illuminating said ball;
(a-4) a detector for detecting light reflected on said ball against said light emitted from said light emitter; and
(a-5) a controller for controlling said light emitter and said detector; and
(b) a display for displaying an operational state of said trackball device;
wherein said controller also controls a function required for said electronic apparatus and displays information on said display. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification