SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCURATE LIFT-DETECTION OF AN INPUT DEVICE
First Claim
1. A method for modifying a behavior of an input device when the input device is lifted from a surface, the method comprising:
- illuminating a pattern on the surface using a light source;
receiving at a sensor, a pattern formed by light received from the illuminated pattern on the surface;
detecting a position of the pattern received on the sensor;
computing the distance between the position and a reference position of the pattern on the sensor; and
in response to the distance being greater than a threshold, modifying the behavior of the input device,wherein the computed distance is independent of characteristics of the surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various systems and methods are employed for lift-detection. Beam triangulation can be used, and in one embodiment, an optical lift detection module is separate from the optical tracking module. In one embodiment, a capacitive lift detection technique is used. A capacitor is built into the bottom case of the mouse. When the mouse is resting on a surface, the surface material serves as a dielectric for the capacitor, while air serves as the dielectric when the mouse is lifted. This dielectric change leads to a change in the capacitance value, leading to detection of lift. In one embodiment, a capacitor with an easily compressable material inserted between the two electrodes is used. In another embodiment, a mechanical plunger with an elastic membrane is used for lift detection. Lift detection can be tunable and/or customizable. The actual height of the life can be detected, rather than simple on-off notifications.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for modifying a behavior of an input device when the input device is lifted from a surface, the method comprising:
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illuminating a pattern on the surface using a light source; receiving at a sensor, a pattern formed by light received from the illuminated pattern on the surface; detecting a position of the pattern received on the sensor; computing the distance between the position and a reference position of the pattern on the sensor; and in response to the distance being greater than a threshold, modifying the behavior of the input device, wherein the computed distance is independent of characteristics of the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An optical input device comprising:
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an optical displacement detection module for providing information regarding X-Y displacement of the optical device relative to a surface; and an optical lift detection module for providing information regarding the height of the optical input device relative to the surface, wherein the information provided by the lift detection module is used to optimize at least one of the output of the optical displacement detection module and a power consumption of the optical input device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for detecting lift of an input device off a surface, the input device having a housing, the method comprising:
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embedding at least two electrodes of a capacitor in a bottom portion of the h housing; measuring a first value of the capacitor when the input device is resting on the surface; measuring a change in the value of the capacitor; in response to the change in the value of the capacitor being greater than a threshold, providing an indication of an amount by which the input device is lifted off the surface. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An input device for controlling a movement of a cursor on an associated display in response to movement of the input device relative to a surface, the input device comprising:
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a housing having a top and a bottom portion; an elastic membrane coupled to the bottom portion; a spacer supporting the elastic membrane, so that the elastic membrane is pushed into the input device when the input device is resting on the surface; and a height-detection module which is coupled to the elastic membrane. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for modifying the behavior of an input device based upon a height to which the input device is lifted off a surface, the method comprising:
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computing the height of the input device from a surface; comparing the height to a threshold value; comparing the height to a second threshold value; and in response to the height being greater than the second threshold value, modifying the behavior of the input device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. An optical input device comprising:
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a first light source for creating a first pattern on a surface; a second light source for creating a second pattern on the surface; and a sensor for receiving light from the first pattern and the second pattern, wherein the first pattern is used to obtain information regarding X-Y displacement of the optical device relative to the surface and the second pattern is used to obtain information regarding a height of the optical input device relative to the surface.
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26. An input device for measuring X-Y displacement relative to a surface and for measuring height of the input device relative to the surface, comprising:
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an X-Y displacement detection for providing information regarding X-Y displacement of the input device relative to the surface; and a height detection module for providing information regarding the height of the input device relative to the surface, wherein the information regarding the height of the input device is used to trigger an event provided the height of the input device is within a specified range. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification