Optical Encoder Including Diffuser Members
First Claim
1. An electronic device comprising:
- a housing;
a crown coupled to the housing and configured to receive rotational input; and
an optical encoder positioned within the housing and comprising;
a rotatable cylinder in communication with the crown;
an encoding pattern formed on an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder, the encoding pattern comprising;
a group of light-reflective markings; and
a group of non-reflective markings interspersed with the group of light-reflective markings;
a light source positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder and configured to provide a light beam to the outer surface of the rotatable cylinder; and
an array of optical sensors positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder, the array of optical sensors configured to receive the light beam reflected from the rotatable cylinder,wherein the light beam provided by the light source is widened in an axial direction along a length of the rotatable cylinder prior to being received by the array of optical sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical encoder having diffuser members, and methods for detecting the rotational movement of the cylinder of the optical encoder are disclosed. The optical encoder may include a rotatable cylinder configured to reflect light. The rotatable cylinder may include an encoding pattern of alternating reflective stripes having distinct light-reflective properties. The optical encoder may also include a light source positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder, and an array of optical sensors positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder. The array of optical sensors may receive the reflected light from the rotatable cylinder. The optical encoder may include a diffuser member positioned on the rotatable cylinder, the light source, and the array of optical sensors.
79 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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a housing; a crown coupled to the housing and configured to receive rotational input; and an optical encoder positioned within the housing and comprising; a rotatable cylinder in communication with the crown; an encoding pattern formed on an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder, the encoding pattern comprising; a group of light-reflective markings; and a group of non-reflective markings interspersed with the group of light-reflective markings; a light source positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder and configured to provide a light beam to the outer surface of the rotatable cylinder; and an array of optical sensors positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder, the array of optical sensors configured to receive the light beam reflected from the rotatable cylinder, wherein the light beam provided by the light source is widened in an axial direction along a length of the rotatable cylinder prior to being received by the array of optical sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An optical encoder for an electronic device, the optical encoder comprising:
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a rotatable cylinder configured to reflect light, the rotatable cylinder comprising an encoding pattern of alternating reflective stripes having distinct light-reflective properties; a light source positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder; an array of optical sensors positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder, the array of optical sensors configured to receive reflected light from the rotatable cylinder; and a diffuser member positioned on at least one of; the rotatable cylinder; the light source;
orthe array of optical sensors. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of detecting rotational movement of a rotatable cylinder of an optical encoder, the method comprising:
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emitting an emitted light beam, using a light source, toward the rotatable cylinder; reflecting the emitted light beam off the rotatable cylinder to form a reflected light beam; receiving the reflected light beam at an array of optical sensors; and prior to receiving of the reflected light beam, axially diffusing at least one of the emitted light beam, or the reflected light beam using a diffuser member; and estimating an amount of rotation of the rotatable cylinder based on the reflected light beam that is received at the array of optical sensors. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification