Scanning optical mouse

• US 20050057510A1
• Filed: 09/16/2003
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Keller, Jack Kratzer, Baines, Donald A., Richman, Russell Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/663,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20050057510A1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/22 by selection of a specific region containing or referencing a pattern; Locating or processing of specific regions to guide the detection or recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/047 Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position H04N1/0402 and H04N1/17 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/02439 Positioning method
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04703 using the scanning elements as detectors, e.g. by performing a prescan
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04712 using unbroken arrays of detectors, i.e. detectors mounted on the same substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04737 by detecting the scanned medium directly, e.g. a leading edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04743 by detecting the image directly detecting reference images H04N2201/04717
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04787 by changing or controlling the addresses or values of pixels, e.g. in an array, in a memory, by interpolation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04794 Varying the control or compensation during the scan, e.g. using continuous feedback or from line to line

Abstract

An optical mouse scanner allows users to perform quick scans of paper documents (or of some other surface) without requiring a separate, standalone scanner. Scanning functionality may be provided to an optical mouse, such as a wireless optical mouse. The scanning sensor and/or the scanning light source could be same as that used for the optical motion detection for the mouse. Alternatively, a separate light source and/or imaging element could be provided for purposes of scanning. Image stitching software could use a number of captured images (e.g., a stream of captured frames) alone, or in association with mouse orientation and/or position information, to assemble a larger image from smaller captured image frames.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a) capturing a plurality of image parts;

b) determining position information corresponding to each of the plurality of image parts; and

c) generating image information using, at least, the plurality of image parts and the corresponding position information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the position information includes coordinate information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the position information includes change of position information.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of capturing a plurality of image parts includes focusing light reflected from a surface onto an imaging device, and

wherein the act of determining position information includes accepting, by the imaging device, light reflected from the surface.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the light reflected from the surface is emitted from a single light source.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the light reflected from the surface is emitted from a first light source and a second light source,

wherein the light emitted from the first light source and reflected from the surface onto the imaging device is used in the act of capturing a plurality of image parts, and

wherein the light emitted from the second light source and reflected from the surface onto the imaging device is used in the act of determining position information.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the light emitted from the first light source has a larger angle of incidence with the surface than the light emitted from the second light source.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of capturing a plurality of image parts includes focusing light reflected from a surface onto a first imaging device, and

wherein the act of determining position information includes focusing light reflected from the surface onto a second imaging device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the light reflected from the surface is emitted from a single light source.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the light reflected from the surface is emitted from a first light source and a second light source,

wherein the light emitted from the first light source and reflected from the surface onto the imaging device is used in the act of capturing a plurality of image parts, and

wherein the light emitted from the second light source and reflected from the surface onto the imaging device is used in the act of determining position information.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the light emitted from the first light source has a larger angle of incidence with the surface than the light emitted from the second light source.

12. Apparatus comprising:

a) means for capturing a plurality of image parts;

b) means for determining position information corresponding to each of the plurality of image parts; and

c) means for generating image information using, at least, the plurality of image parts and the corresponding position information.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the position information includes coordinate information.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the position information includes change of position information.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the position information includes orientation information.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the position information includes acceleration information.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the position information includes velocity information.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for capturing a plurality of image parts includes a light source, and an imaging device, and

wherein the means for determining position information includes

the light source, and the imaging device.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for capturing a plurality of image parts includes a first light source, and an imaging device, and

wherein the means for determining position information includes

a second light source, and the imaging device.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first light source and the second light source emit light that illuminates a surface, and

wherein the light emitted from the first light source has a larger angle of incidence with the surface than the light emitted from the second light source.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second light source is a light emitting diode.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second light source is an infra-red light emitting diode.

23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second light source is a tunable light source able to modulate at least one of wavelength, polarization, and amplitude.

24. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for capturing a plurality of image parts includes a light source, and a first imaging device, and

wherein the means for determining position information includes

the light source, and a second imaging device.

25. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for capturing a plurality of image parts includes a first light source, and a first imaging device, and

wherein the means for determining position information includes

a second light source, and a second imaging device.