Optical image detectors and navigation devices employing the same

• US 20040080495A1
• Filed: 10/21/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ATLab, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ATLab, Inc.
• Inventors: Jeong, Wan Gyo
• Application Number:
  US10/691,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20040080495A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/166
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface

Abstract

Optical image detectors and navigation devices employing the same are provided. The optical image detector illuminates incident lights on a surface of an object to generate an image for surface morphology of the object. The optical image detector includes a light source and an incident light generator that receives lights of the light source to generate incident lights. The incident lights include at least two groups of incident lights having different incident angles with respect to the surface of the object. The navigation device employs the optical image detector. The navigation device includes a case having a lower panel. The lower panel has an opening. The optical image detector is installed in the case. The incident light generator receives lights of the light source to generate the incident lights. The incident lights are illuminated on the surface of the object through the opening.

Claims

1. An optical image detector that illuminates incident lights on a surface of an object to generate an image for surface morphology of the object, the optical image detector comprising:

a light source; and

an incident light generator receiving lights of the light source to generate at least two groups of incident lights having different incident angles with respect to the surface of the object.

2. The optical image detector according to claim 1, wherein the incident light generator comprising:

a first reflecting plate reflecting the lights of the light source to generate a first group of incident lights having a first incident angle with respect to the surface of the object;

a second reflecting plate reflecting the lights of the light source to generate a second group of incident lights having a second incident angle greater than the first incident angle with respect to the surface of the object; and

a third reflecting plate reflecting the lights of the light source to generate a third group of incident lights having a third incident angle greater than the second incident angle with respect to the surface of the object.

3. The optical image detector according to claim 1, further comprising an optical sensor that is disposed over the surface of the object to sense the lights reflected from the surface of the object, wherein the optical sensor converts an image for the surface morphology of the object into photocurrents.

4. A navigation device comprising:

a case including a lower panel having an opening;

a light source installed in the case; and

an incident light generator disposed to be adjacent to the light source and receiving lights of the light source to generate at least two groups of incident lights having different incident angles with respect to the surface of the object, wherein the incident lights being illuminated on the surface of the object through the opening.

5. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein the light source is a light emitting device that generates infrared or visual spectrum rays.

6. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein the at least two groups of incident lights comprising:

a first group of incident lights having a first incident angle with respect to the surface of the object;

a second group of incident lights having a second incident angle greater than the first incident angle with respect to the surface of the object; and

a third group of incident lights having a third incident angle greater than the second incident angle with respect to the surface of the object.

7. The navigation device according to claim 6, wherein the incident light generator comprising:

a first reflecting plate reflecting the lights of the light source to generate the first group of incident lights;

a second reflecting plate reflecting the lights of the light source to generate the second group of incident lights; and

a third reflecting plate reflecting the lights of the light source to generate the third group of incident lights.

8. The navigation device according to claim 4, further comprising an optical sensor that is disposed over the opening to sense the lights reflected from the surface of the object, wherein the optical sensor converts an image for the surface morphology of the object into photocurrents.