Operator input device

• US 6,172,354 B1
• Filed: 03/09/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Miura, Takeshi, Lipscomb, Terry M., Aoyagi, Tetsuji, Adan, Manolito E., Holmdahl, Todd E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Stephone B.
• Application Number:
  US09/036,809
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/208.1, 345/156-164
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• 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 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An operator input device is configured to provide position information based on relative movement of the surface and the operator input device. The operator input device includes an image detector which is configured to detect an image on the surface and provide an image signal corresponding to the image detected. A controller is coupled to the image detector and is configured to receive the image signal and provide the position information based on a position of the image relative to the image detector.

Claims

1. An operator input device configured to provide position information based on relative movement of a surface and the operator input device, the position information being provided to control movement of a visual image on a visual display screen of a computing device, the operator input device comprising:

a housing;

a pattern independent image detector coupled to the housing and having a predetermined sample area positioned within an image detector viewing area, the image detector being configured to detect within the predetermined sample area an image of a first pattern on the surface and provide a pattern signal corresponding to the image of the first pattern detected; and

a controller coupled to the pattern detector and configured to receive the pattern signal and provide the position information based on a first position of the image of the first pattern within the predetermined sample area.

2. The operator input device of claim 1 wherein after detection of the image of the first pattern within the predetermined sample area, the controller is configured to determine a second position of the image of the first pattern in the image detector viewing area around the predetermined sample area and to provide the position information based on movement of the image of the first pattern from the first position in the predetermined sample area to the second position in the image detector viewing area around the predetermined sample area.

3. The operator input device of claim 2 wherein the controller is configured to detect within the predetermined sample area an image of a second pattern, after movement of the image of the first pattern, and to provide the position information based on movement of the image of the second pattern from the predetermined sample area into the image detector viewing area surrounding the image detector viewing area.

4. The operator input de vice of claim 1 wherein the housing includes an aperture and wherein the image detector is arranged to detect the image of the first pattern on a work surface, through the aperture.

5. The operator input device of claim 1 and further comprising:

a movable element mounted to the housing and wherein the surface is disposed on the movable element.

6. The operator input device of claim 5 wherein the movable element comprises:

a track ball rotatably mounted to the housing.

7. The operator input device of claim 5 wherein the movable element includes a rotatable wheel mounted for rotation relative to the housing.

8. The operator input device of claim 5 wherein the movable element comprises an actuator button movably mounted to the housing.

9. The operator input device of claim 5 wherein the housing includes an aperture and wherein the image detector is configured to detect the image of the first pattern on a work surface, through the aperture, and to detect an image of a second pattern on the surface of the movable element.

10. The operator input device of claim 1 wherein the pattern detector comprises:

a source of electromagnetic radiation.

11. The operator input device of claim 10 wherein the pattern detector comprises:

an image sensor array arranged to receive radiation carrying pattern information about the surface.

12. The operator input device of claim 11 wherein the pattern detector comprises:

an artificial retina arranged to receive radiation carrying pattern information about the surface.

13. The operator input device of claim 10 and further comprising:

a driver, coupled to the source of electromagnetic radiation, providing a driving signal to drive the source of electromagnetic radiation; and

wherein the controller is coupled to the driver and is configured to detect intensity of the source of electromagnetic radiation and provide a feedback signal to the driver based on the intensity detected to adjust the intensity.

14. The operator input device of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the intensity detected is within a desired range and adjust the feedback signal to the driver based on the determination.

15. The operator input device of claim 10 wherein the controller is coupled to the source of electromagnetic radiation and is configured to only intermittently actuate the source of electromagnetic radiation.

16. The operator input device of claim 10 wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is configured to radiate electromagnetic radiation in an elongate pattern.

17. The operator input device of claim 10 wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation includes a plurality of point light sources.

18. The operator input device of claim 9 wherein the pattern detector further includes:

a plurality of light pipes directing electromagnetic energy from the source to a plurality of surfaces; and

a detection device; and

a second plurality of light pipes, the second plurality of light pipes directing electromagnetic energy reflected from the plurality of surfaces to the detection device.

19. A method of providing information for controlling movement of a visual image on a display screen of a computing device, the method comprising:

providing an operator input element movable relative to a surface;

detecting an image, in a predetermined sample area of an image sensor, of a first pattern on the surface;

detecting relative movement of the operator input element and the pattern on the surface by detecting movement of the image of the first pattern into an image detector viewing area surrounding the predetermined sample area; and

providing position information indicative of the relative movement detected.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein detecting relative movement comprises:

detecting a first position of the image of the first pattern within the predetermined sample area; and

detecting movement of the image of the first pattern from the first position.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein detecting movement of the image of the first pattern from the first position comprises:

detecting a distance of movement of the image of the first pattern from the first position.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein detecting movement of the image of the first pattern from the first position comprises:

detecting a speed of movement of the image of the first pattern from the first position.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein detecting the image of the first pattern on the surface comprises:

impinging electromagnetic radiation on the surface; and

detecting electromagnetic radiation carrying information indicative of the first pattern on the surface.

24. The method of claim 23 and further comprising:

extracting the image of the first pattern from the electromagnetic radiation detected.

25. The method of claim 24 and further comprising:

intermittently detecting an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation; and

adjusting the intensity detected based on a desired intensity range.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein extracting the image of the first pattern comprises:

detecting rotational movement of the first pattern.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein impinging electromagnetic radiation comprises:

impinging the electromagnetic radiation in an elongate pattern.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein impinging electromagnetic radiation comprises:

impinging the electromagnetic radiation with a plurality of separated radiation sources.

29. An operator input device configured to provide position information based on relative movement of a surface and the operator input device, the position information being provided to control movement of a visual image on a visual display screen of a computing device, the operator input device comprising:

a housing including an aperture;

a movable element mounted to the housing, wherein a first surface is disposed on the movable element;

a pattern independent image detector coupled to the housing and being configured to detect a first pattern on a work surface through the aperture and to detect a second pattern on the first surface disposed on the moveable element, the pattern independent image sensor providing pattern signals corresponding to the first and second detected patterns; and

a controller coupled to the pattern detector and configured to receive the pattern signals and to provide the position information based upon the pattern signals.

30. The operator input device of claim 29 wherein the pattern detector further includes:

a plurality of light pipes directing electromagnetic energy from the source to a plurality of surfaces;

a detection device; and

a second plurality of light pipes, the second plurality of light pipes directing electromagnetic energy reflected from the plurality of surfaces to the detection device.

31. An operator input device configured to provide position information based on relative movement of a surface and the operator input device, the position information being provided to control movement of a visual image on a visual display screen of a computing device, the operator input device comprising:

a housing;

a pattern independent image detector coupled to the housing and being configured to detect a first pattern on the surface and provide a pattern signal corresponding to the first pattern detected, wherein the pattern detector further comprises;

a source of electromagnetic radiation; and

a driver, coupled to the source of electromagnetic radiation, providing a driving signal to drive the source of electromagnetic radiation; and

a controller coupled to the pattern detector and configured to receive the pattern signal and provide the position information based on a position of the first pattern relative to the pattern detector, wherein the controller is also coupled to the driver and is also configured to detect intensity of the source of electromagnetic radiation and provide a feedback signal to the driver based on the intensity detected to adjust the intensity.

32. The operator input device of claim 31, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the intensity detected is within a desired range and adjust the feedback signal to the driver based on the determination.

33. An operator input device configured to provide position information based on relative movement of a surface and the operator input device, the position information being provided to control movement of a visual image on a visual display screen of a computing device, the operator input device comprising:

a housing;

a rotatable wheel mounted to the housing, wherein the surface is disposed on the rotatable wheel;

a pattern independent image detector coupled to the housing and being configured to detect a first pattern on the surface and provide a pattern signal corresponding to the first pattern detected; and

a controller coupled to the pattern detector and configured to receive the pattern signal and provide the position information based on a position of the first pattern relative to the pattern detector, wherein the controller is configured to detect a second pattern and a position of the second pattern relative to the pattern detector, after movement of the first pattern, and to provide the position information based on movement of the second pattern from the position.

34. An operator input device configured to provide position information based on relative movement of a surface and the operator input device, the position information being provided to control movement of a visual image on a visual display screen of a computing device, the operator input device comprising:

a housing;

an actuator button movably mounted to the housing, wherein the surface is disposed on the actuator button;

a pattern independent image detector coupled to the housing and being configured to detect a first pattern on the surface and provide a pattern signal corresponding to the first pattern detected; and

a controller coupled to the pattern detector and configured to receive the pattern signal and provide the position information based on a position of the first pattern relative to the pattern detector, wherein the controller is configured to detect a second pattern and a position of the second pattern relative to the pattern detector, after movement of the first pattern, and to provide the position information based on movement of the second pattern from the position.

35. An operator input device configured to provide position information based on relative movement of a surface and the operator input device, the position information being provided to control movement of a visual image on a visual display screen of a computing device, the operator input device comprising:

a housing;

a pattern independent image detector coupled to the housing and being configured to detect a first pattern on the surface and provide a pattern signal corresponding to the first pattern detected, the pattern detector including a source of electromagnetic radiation configured to radiate electromagnetic radiation in an elongate pattern onto the surface; and

a controller coupled to the pattern detector and configured to receive the pattern signal and provide the position information based on a position of the first pattern relative to the pattern detector.

36. An operator input device configured to provide position information based on relative movement of a surface and the operator input device, the position information being provided to control movement of a visual image on a visual display screen of a computing device, the operator input device comprising:

a housing;

a pattern independent image detector coupled to the housing and being configured to detect a first pattern on the surface and provide a pattern signal corresponding to the first pattern detected, the pattern detector including a plurality of point light sources configured to radiate maximum electromagnetic radiation to spaced apart points on the surface; and

a controller coupled to the pattern detector and configured to receive the pattern signal and provide the position information based on a position of the first pattern relative to the pattern detector.

37. A method of providing information for controlling movement of a visual image on a display screen of a computing device, the method comprising:

providing an operator input element movable relative to a surface;

detecting a pattern on the surface, wherein detecting a pattern on the surface comprises;

impinging electromagnetic radiation on the surface by radiating the electromagnetic radiation in an elongate pattern;

detecting electromagnetic radiation carrying information indicative of the pattern on the surface; and

detecting rotational movement of the pattern by extracting the pattern from the electromagnetic radiation detected;

detecting relative movement of the operator input element and the pattern on the surface; and

providing position information indicative of the relative movement detected.