OPTICAL NAVIGATION DEVICES

• US 20110234541A1
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stmicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: Stmicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: REIGNEAU, Mathieu
• Granted Patent: US 8,988,391 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04109 FTIR in optical digitiser, i.e. touch detection by frustrating the total internal reflection within an optical waveguide due to changes of optical properties or deformation at the touch location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

An imaging device may have an imaging surface and a sensor. The imaging surface may be illuminated by a first source and reflect at least some of the illumination to the sensor to detect an image. The imaging device may have a predetermined width and an optical path passing therethrough. The imaging device may be illuminated by a second source, and the illumination of the second source may be directed to one or more predetermined regions on or near the imaging surface to produce an optical effect associated with the imaging surface.

Claims

1. -20. (canceled)

21. An imaging device comprising:

an optical element having an imaging surface and at least one region adjacent said imaging surface;

a first light source configured to illuminate said imaging surface;

a sensor configured to detect reflected illumination from said imaging surface to detect an image; and

a second light source configured to illuminate said at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with said imaging surface.

22. The imaging device of claim 21 wherein said optical element defines an optical path therethrough and between said first light source and said sensor.

23. The imaging device of claim 21 wherein the illumination from said first source is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by movement of a pointer object moving relative to said imaging surface.

24. The imaging device of claim 21 wherein said optical element further includes a curved surface opposite said imaging surface;

and wherein said curved surface is configured to collimate the illumination from said second source onto said at least one region.

25. The imaging device of claim 24 further comprising a coating layer on said curved surface to prevent said second source from illuminating said imaging surface.

26. The imaging device of claim 21 further comprising a mask plate configured to prevent said second source from illuminating said imaging surface.

27. The imaging device of claim 21 wherein said at least one region defines a perimeter around said imaging surface.

28. The imaging device of claim 27 wherein said at least one region has a rough surface.

29. The imaging device of claim 21 wherein said optical element comprises an integral optical element.

30. The imaging device of claim 21 wherein said optical element comprises a molded optical element.

31. An electronic device comprising:

an imaging device comprising

an optical element having an imaging surface and at least one region adjacent said imaging surface,

a first light source configured to illuminate said imaging surface,

a sensor configured to detect reflected illumination from said imaging surface to detect an image, and

a second light source configured to illuminate said at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with said imaging surface.

32. The electronic device of claim 31 wherein said optical element defines an optical path therethrough and between said first light source and said sensor.

33. The electronic device of claim 31 wherein the illumination from said first source is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by movement of a pointer object moving relative to said imaging surface.

34. The electronic device of claim 31 wherein said optical element further includes a curved surface opposite said imaging surface;

and wherein said curved surface is configured to collimate the illumination from said second source onto said at least one region.

35. The electronic device of claim 34 wherein said imaging device further comprises a coating layer on said curved surface to prevent said second source from illuminating said imaging surface.

36. The electronic device of claim 31 wherein said imaging device further comprises a mask plate configured to prevent said second source from illuminating said imaging surface.

37. The electronic device of claim 31 wherein said imaging device defines an optical navigation device.

38. The electronic device of claim 31 further comprising a personal computer device cooperating with said imaging device.

39. The electronic device of claim 31 further comprising a phone device cooperating with said imaging device.

40. The electronic device of claim 31 further comprising a camera device cooperating with said imaging device.

41. The electronic device of claim 31 further comprising a remote controller device cooperating with said imaging device.

42. A method of making an imaging device comprising:

forming an optical element having an imaging surface and at least one region adjacent the imaging surface;

positioning a first light source to illuminate the imaging surface;

positioning a sensor to detect reflected illumination from the imaging surface to detect an image; and

positioning a second light source to illuminate the at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with the imaging surface.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising forming an optical path through the optical element and between the first light source and the sensor.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the illumination from the first source is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by movement of a pointer object moving relative to the imaging surface.

45. The method of claim 42 further comprising forming the optical element to further include a curved surface opposite the imaging surface, the curved surface collimating the illumination from the second source onto the at least one region.

46. The method of claim 45 further comprising forming a coating layer on the curved surface to prevent the second source from illuminating the imaging surface.

47. The method of claim 42 further comprising positioning a mask plate to prevent the second source from illuminating the imaging surface.