Optical input device and method of optically sensing user inputs
First Claim
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1. An optical input device comprising:
- a movable pad;
a light source positioned to emit light onto an undersurface of said movable pad;
an image sensor array positioned to receive said light reflected from said undersurface of said movable pad to capture frames of image data; and
a controller operably connected to said image sensor array to receive said frames of image data, said controller being configured to process said frames of image data to estimate movements of said movable pad; and
a self-centering mechanism operably connected to said movable pad, said self-centering mechanism being configured to support said movable pad such that said movable pad can be displaced, said self-centering mechanism being further configured to automatically return said movable pad to an initial position when said movable pad is released.
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Abstract
An optical input device and method of optically sensing user inputs captures frames of image data using light reflected from an undersurface of a movable pad to estimate movements of the movable pad. Furthermore, the movable pad is automatically returned to an initial position when the movable pad is released.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical input device comprising:
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a movable pad; a light source positioned to emit light onto an undersurface of said movable pad; an image sensor array positioned to receive said light reflected from said undersurface of said movable pad to capture frames of image data; and a controller operably connected to said image sensor array to receive said frames of image data, said controller being configured to process said frames of image data to estimate movements of said movable pad; and a self-centering mechanism operably connected to said movable pad, said self-centering mechanism being configured to support said movable pad such that said movable pad can be displaced, said self-centering mechanism being further configured to automatically return said movable pad to an initial position when said movable pad is released. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of optically sensing user inputs, said method comprising;
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emitting light onto an undersurface of a movable pad; receiving said light reflected from said undersurface of said movable pad; capturing frames of image data using said received light as said movable pad is displaced; processing said frames of image data to estimate movements of said movable pad; and automatically returning said movable pad back to an initial position when said movable pad is released. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification