Finger navigation system using captive surface

• US 20050057523A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moyer, Vincent C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,400,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

An apparatus such as a wireless telephone is disclosed, the apparatus having a screen with an icon, and an input device for controlling the icon on the screen. The input device includes a sensor adapted to detect movement and a captive disc movably suspended over the sensor, the captive disc having an active surface facing the sensor and the sensor viewing a portion of the active surface. When the captive disc is moved, the sensor detects differing portions of the active surface and determines movement by changes in its view. Because the captive disc is substantially flat, the input device can be relatively small in size compared to input devices of the current art. The smaller size requirement is advantageous for implementing the input device in various devices including the PDAS, wireless communication devices, and other electronic equipment.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a sensor adapted to detect movement; and

a captive disc movably suspended over said sensor, said captive disc having an active surface facing said sensor.

2. The device recited in claim 1 further comprising:

frame housing said captive disc; and

horizontal spring adapted to center said captive disc within said frame.

3. The device recited in claim 2 further comprising vertical spring adapted support said captive disc;

and wherein said captive disc is substantially flat.

4. The device recited in claim 2 wherein said captive disc has convex shape.

5. The device recited in claim 2 wherein said active surface comprises navigation area and border area, said border area generally surrounding said navigation area.

6. The device recited in claim 5 wherein the navigation area has a predetermined pattern.

7. The device recited in claim 2 wherein further comprising focusing lens adapted to focus light from a portion of the active surface to said sensor when the active surface is proximal to a focal plane.

8. The device recited in claim 2 wherein said sensor is configured to sense images proximal to a focal plane.

9. The device recited in claim 2 further comprising an activation switch adapted to detect pressure on said captive disc.

10. The device recited in claim 2 further comprising a selection switch adapted to detect user selection.

11. The device recited in claim 2 further comprising a light source adapted to provide illumination on the active surface.

12. An input device comprising:

a sensor adapted to detect movement;

a captive disc movably suspended over said sensor, said captive disc having an active surface facing said sensor;

an illuminant adapted to provide light toward the active surface;

a focusing lens for focusing light from the active surface onto said sensor; and

horizontal spring adapted to center said captive disc.

13. The device recited in claim 12 further comprising vertical spring adapted support said captive disc;

and

wherein said captive disc is substantially flat.

14. The device recited in claim 12 wherein said captive disc has convex shape.

15. The device recited in claim 12 wherein said active surface comprises navigation area and border area, said border area generally surrounding said navigation area.

16. The device recited in claim 12 further comprising a selection switch adapted to detect user selection.

17. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a screen displaying information including an icon;

an input device for controlling the icon, said input device comprising;

a sensor adapted to detect movement; and

a captive disc movably suspended over said sensor, said captive disc having an active surface facing said sensor.

18. The apparatus recited in claim 17 further comprising:

frame housing said captive disc; and

horizontal spring adapted to center said captive disc within said frame.

19. The apparatus recited in claim 18 further comprising vertical spring adapted support said captive disc;

and

wherein said captive disc is substantially flat.

20. The apparatus recited in claim 18 wherein said captive disc has convex shape.

21. The apparatus recited in claim 18 wherein said active surface comprises navigation area and border area, said border area generally surrounding said navigation area.

22. The apparatus recited in claim 18 wherein further comprising focusing lens adapted to focus the active surface to said sensor when the active surface is proximal to a focal plane.

23. The apparatus recited in claim 18 wherein said sensor is adapted to sense images proximal to a focal area.