OPTICAL NAVIGATION MODULE WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES

• US 20120206329A1
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: CHEN, Chao
• Granted Patent: US 8,823,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks

Abstract

An optical navigation module comprising a rigid flange having a top surface. An optical navigation unit can be coupled to the top surface of the rigid flange with an electrical connection electrically coupled to the optical navigation unit. An alignment flange can be coupled to the rigid flange with the alignment feature including one or more alignment features. The alignment feature can be a hole adapted to receive an alignment pin to hold and align the optical navigation module.

Claims

1. An optical navigation module, comprising a rigid flange having a top surface;

an optical navigation unit coupled to the top surface of the rigid flange;

an electrical connection electrically coupled to the optical navigation unit; and

an alignment flange coupled to the rigid flange, the alignment flange including at least one alignment feature.

2. The optical navigation module of claim 1 wherein the rigid flange is plastic.

3. The optical navigation module of claim 1 wherein the rigid flange is sufficiently rigid to provide support for the optical navigation module in a z-direction when pressure is applied to the optical navigation unit.

4. The optical navigation module of claim 1 wherein the optical navigation unit is one of an optical navigation pad and an optical jog ball.

5. The optical navigation module of claim 1 wherein the electrical connection is a flexible printed circuit.

6. The optical navigation module of claim 1 wherein the alignment flange aligns the optical navigation module in an x-direction and a y-direction.

7. The optical navigation module of claim 1 wherein the alignment flange forms at least one alignment feature adapted to receive an alignment post.

8. The optical navigation module of claim 1 wherein the alignment flange comprises a center portion surrounded by an outer portion that is thicker than the center portion.

9. The optical navigation module of claim 8 with each alignment feature formed on the outer portion.

10. The optical navigation module of claim 1 wherein the alignment flange is pre-loaded.

11. A mobile device comprising:

a display;

an optical navigation module, comprising

a rigid flange having a top surface;

an optical navigation unit coupled to the top surface of the rigid flange;

an electrical connection electrically coupled to the optical navigation unit; and

an alignment flange coupled to the rigid flange, the alignment flange including at least one alignment feature; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the display and communicatively coupled to the optical navigation via the electrical connection,

the processor configured to allow navigation on the display in response to inputs associated with the optical navigation module.

12. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein the rigid flange is plastic.

13. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein the rigid flange is sufficiently rigid to provide support for the optical navigation module in a z-direction when pressure is applied to the optical navigation unit.

14. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein the optical navigation unit is one of an optical navigation pad and an optical jog ball.

15. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein the electrical connection is a flexible printed circuit.

16. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein the alignment flange aligns the optical navigation module in an x-direction and a y-direction.

17. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein the alignment flange forms at least one alignment feature adapted to receive an alignment post.

18. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein the alignment flange comprises a center portion surrounded by an outer portion that is thicker than the center portion.

19. The mobile device of claim 18 with each alignment feature is formed on the outer portion.

20. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein the alignment flange is pre-loaded.