Fiber-optic mouse pad
First Claim
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1. A fiber-optic mouse pad for use with an optical mouse, comprising:
- a pad having a top surface for receiving an optical mouse; and
a plurality of optical fibers extending a distance laterally under said top surface of said pad, said optical fibers each having first and second ends, said first ends bundled together to define a common light inlet exposed to light emitted from the optical mouse during normal use thereof, said second ends extending through said top surface of said pad at different points defining a desired illumination pattern, whereby the desired illumination pattern may be illuminated remotely by moving the optical mouse over said light inlet.
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Abstract
A fiber-optic mouse pad for use with an optical mouse. The mouse pad has a substantially opaque top surface and a plurality of optical fibers extending a distance laterally under the top surface, the optical fibers being bundled together on a first end to define a common light inlet exposed to light emitted from the optical mouse during normal use thereof, the optical fibers having second ends extending through the top surface at remote points defining a desired illumination pattern. The construction of the fiber-optic mouse pad enables the desired illumination pattern to be illuminated remotely by moving the optical mouse over the light inlet.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fiber-optic mouse pad for use with an optical mouse, comprising:
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a pad having a top surface for receiving an optical mouse; and
a plurality of optical fibers extending a distance laterally under said top surface of said pad, said optical fibers each having first and second ends, said first ends bundled together to define a common light inlet exposed to light emitted from the optical mouse during normal use thereof, said second ends extending through said top surface of said pad at different points defining a desired illumination pattern, whereby the desired illumination pattern may be illuminated remotely by moving the optical mouse over said light inlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fiber-optic mouse pad for use with an optical mouse, comprising:
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a pad having a top surface for receiving an optical mouse, said top surface being substantially opaque;
means contained within said pad for collecting light emitted from the optical mouse on said top surface; and
means optically coupled to said light collecting means for transmitting light under said top surface to a plurality of points remote from the optical mouse and for directing light from said remote points through said top surface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A fiber-optic mouse pad for use with an optical mouse, comprising:
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a pad having a top layer with a substantially opaque flat top surface for receiving an optical mouse, and a lower layer affixed to said top layer and having a channel formed therein extending laterally under said top surface between a first area of said pad and a second area of said pad remote from said first area;
a reflective cup embedded in said first area of said pad, said reflective cup having an inner wall defining a plurality of plane reflective surfaces below said top surface;
a transparent cover over said cup, said cover having a flat top surface substantially flush with said top surface of said pad;
a plurality of optical fibers each having first and second ends, said first ends bundled together and terminated in said cup in optical alignment with said reflective surfaces thereof, said optical fibers extending from said cup through said channel to said second area of said pad, said second ends extending separately through said top surface of said pad in said second area thereof in a predetermined pattern, whereby light emitted from the optical mouse is transmitted under said top surface of said pad and emitted at said second ends of said optical fibers as points of light in said predetermined pattern.
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Specification