Optical position sensing device including interlaced groups of photosensitive elements
First Claim
1. An optical displacement sensor for sensing relative movement between a data input device and a surface by determining displacement of optical features in a succession of images of the surface, the sensor comprising:
- a detector having an array of photosensitive elements;
multiple sets of the photosensitive elements within the array, each set having a same number M of the photosensitive elements, wherein M is greater than two and not equal to four; and
summing circuitry configured to add together output signals from corresponding elements in each set so as to produce M group signals from the array.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment described relates to an optical displacement sensor for sensing movement of a data input device across a surface by detecting displacement of optical features in a succession of images of the surface. The sensor includes a detector having an array including a number (N) of sets of photosensitive elements, each set having a number (M) of photosensitive elements, where M is greater than two and not equal to four. Signals from each of the photosensitive elements in a set are electrically coupled or combined with corresponding photosensitive elements in other sets to produce a total of M independent group signals from M interlaced groups of photosensitive elements. Other embodiments are also described.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical displacement sensor for sensing relative movement between a data input device and a surface by determining displacement of optical features in a succession of images of the surface, the sensor comprising:
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a detector having an array of photosensitive elements;
multiple sets of the photosensitive elements within the array, each set having a same number M of the photosensitive elements, wherein M is greater than two and not equal to four; and
summing circuitry configured to add together output signals from corresponding elements in each set so as to produce M group signals from the array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of sensing movement of a data input device across a surface using an optical displacement sensor having a detector with an array including a number of sets (N) of photosensitive elements, each set having a number of photosensitive elements (M), where M is greater than two (2) and not equal to four (4), the method comprising:
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receiving on the array an intensity pattern produced by light reflected from a portion of the surface; and
electrically coupling or combining signals from each of the photosensitive elements in a set with corresponding detectors in other sets to produce a total of M independent group signals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus configured to sense movement relative to a surface, the apparatus comprising:
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an array including M interlaced groups of photosensitive elements, where M is greater than two and not equal to four;
optics configured to map onto the array an intensity pattern produced by light reflected from a portion of the surface; and
combining signals from each of the photosensitive elements in each group to produce a total of M independent group signals.
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Specification