OPTICAL MEDIA SENSING ARRANGEMENT FOR A MOBILE TELEPHONE HAVING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL MEDIA PATHWAYS

• US 20080302874A1
• Filed: 03/26/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,810,733 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically

Abstract

The invention provides for an optical sensing arrangement for use in a mobile telephone. The sensing arrangement allows the telephone to decode tags of coded data printed on media present in internal and external pathways of the telephone. The sensing arrangement includes a beam splitter configured to deflect incoming light onto an image sensor of the telephone. The arrangement also includes a first infrared LED operatively directing light onto media present in the external pathway, with a filter and lens arrangement configured to receive and direct light reflected from the external media onto the beam splitter. Also included is a second infrared LED operatively directing light onto media present in the internal pathway, with a mirror arrangement configured to direct light reflected from the internal media into the beam splitter.

Claims

1. An optical sensing arrangement for use in a mobile telephone, the sensing arrangement enabling the telephone to decode tags of coded data printed on media present in internal and external pathways of the telephone, the sensing arrangement comprising:

a beam splitter configured to deflect incoming light onto an image sensor of the telephone;

a first infrared LED operatively directing light onto media present in the external pathway;

a filter and lens arrangement configured to receive and direct light reflected from the external media onto the beam splitter;

a second infrared LED operatively directing light onto media present in the internal pathway; and

a mirror arrangement configured to direct light reflected from the internal media into the beam splitter.

2. The sensing arrangement of claim 1, wherein the filter and lens arrangement includes an infrared filter configured to improve a signal to noise ratio of the reflected light by removing non-infrared ambient light.

3. The sensing arrangement of claim 1, wherein the mirror arrangement includes a first turning mirror and a second turning mirror for turning light reflected from the internal media through an aperture onto the beam splitter.

4. The sensing arrangement of claim 1, wherein the mobile telephone includes a non-marking nib slidably mounted to be selectively moveable between a retracted position and an extended position by manual operation of a slider of the mobile telephone.

5. The sensing arrangement of claim 4, wherein the slider is biased outwardly from the mobile telephone and includes a ratchet mechanism for retaining the nib in the extended position.

6. The sensing arrangement of claim 4, wherein one end of the nib abuts a switch which is operatively connected to circuitry controlling operation of the LEDs and the image sensor.

7. The sensing arrangement of claim 6, wherein the switch is configured to activate the LEDs and image sensor when the nib is in the extracted position and is pressed against the external media.