Powerless signal generator for use in conjunction with a powerless position determination device

• US 20060238499A1
• Filed: 01/26/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wenstrand, John S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,812,816 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0325 using a plurality of light emitters or reflectors or a plurality of detectors forming a reference frame from which to derive the orientation of the object, e.g. by triangulation or on the basis of reference deformation in the picked up image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

A reflector and a powerless signal generator mechanism are incorporated into a single powerless pointing device. A light source generates a light signal, and the reflector incorporated within the powerless pointing device reflects the light signal back to a image collection system of a computer. Image data is generated, and is used to generate position data relating to the position of the reflector. The position is correlated to a position on a graphical user interface. A user action activates the powerless signal generator mechanism, generating a signal. The signal can be, for example, in the form of a sound pulse having one or more predetermined frequencies or an RF signal generated by a piezo-electric transducer.

Claims

1. A pointing device comprising:

a reflector; and

a powerless signal generator mechanism configured to generate a signal in response to a user action, wherein the signal is generated to trigger a function in a computing system.

2. The pointing device of claim 1 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanism is a pulse generator that generates at least one sound pulse in response to the user action.

3. The pointing device of claim 2 wherein the pulse generator comprises a sonic resonator and a hammer configured to engage the sonic resonator.

4. The pointing device of claim 2 wherein the at least one sound pulse includes a sound pulse in the 20 kHz to 100 kHz range.

5. The pointing device of claim 1 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanism is a piezo-electric signal generator that generates a radio frequency (RF) signal in response to the user action.

6. The pointing device of claim 1 further comprising a second powerless signal generator mechanism configured to generate a second signal in response to a user action, wherein the second signal is generated to trigger a second function in the computing system.

7. The pointing device of claim 6 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanisms are configured such that the first and second signals have a distinguishable attribute.

8. A system for generating position information related to a pointing device, the system comprising:

a pointing device comprising;

a reflector; and

a powerless signal generator mechanism configured to generate a signal in response to a user action, wherein the signal triggers a function in a computing system;

an image collection system configured to generate image data that includes an indication of the reflector;

a processor configured to use the image data to generate position information related to the reflector; and

a receiver configured to detect the signal from the powerless signal generator mechanism.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein:

the image collection system is configured to generate a first set of image data and a second set of image data, wherein the first set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the second set of image data; and

the processor is configured to use the first set of image data and the second set of image data to generate position information related to the reflector.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanism is a pulse generator that generates a sound pulse in response to the user action.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanism is a piezo-electric signal generator that generates a radio frequency (RF) signal in response to the user action.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the pointing device further comprises a second powerless signal generator mechanism configured to generate a second signal in response to a user action.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanisms are configured such that the first and second signals have a distinguishable attribute.

14. A system for generating position information related to a pointing device, the system comprising:

a computing system that utilizes a graphical user interface (GUI);

a pointing device for use with the GUI, the pointing device comprising;

a reflector; and

a powerless signal generator mechanism configured to mechanically generate a signal in response to a user action, wherein the signal is generated to trigger a first function of the GUI;

an image collection system configured to generate image data that includes an indication of the reflector;

a processor configured to use the image data to generate position information related to the reflector for use in navigating within the GUI; and

a receiver configured to detect the signal from the powerless signal generator mechanism and to provide the detected signal to the computing system to trigger the first function of the GUI.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the image collection system is configured to generate a first set of image data and a second set of image data, wherein the first set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the second set of image data; and

the processor is configured to use the first set of image data and the second set of image data to generate position information related to the reflector.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the processor is configured to take the difference between the first set of image data and the second set of image data to generate the position information.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanism is a pulse generator that generates a sound pulse in response to the user action.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanism is a piezo-electric signal generator that generates a radio frequency (RF) signal in response to the user action.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the pointing device further comprises a second powerless signal generator mechanism configured to generate a second signal in response to a user action, wherein the second signal is generated to trigger a second function of the GUI.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the powerless signal generator mechanisms are configured such that the first and second signals have a distinguishable attribute.

21. A method for generating position information related to a pointing device, the method comprising:

illuminating a reflector that is incorporated into a pointing device;

generating image data that includes an indication of the reflector;

generating position information related to the reflector using the image data;

generating a signal from the pointing device using energy provided from a user action;

detecting the signal; and

initiating a function in response to detection of the signal.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein:

generating the image data comprises generating a first set of image data and a second set of image data, wherein the first set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the second set of image data; and

generating the position information comprises taking the difference between the first set of image data and the second set of image data.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein generating the signal comprises impacting a resonator in response to the user action.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein generating the signal comprises actuating a piezo energy transducer in response to the user action.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

generating a second signal from the pointing device using energy provided from a user action, wherein the first and second signals have different attributes;

detecting the second signal; and

initiating a second function in response to detection of the sound signal.