Method and apparatus for generating a control signal

• US 6,255,643 B1
• Filed: 09/22/2000
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michel Sayag
• Original Assignee: Michel Sayag
• Inventors: Sayag, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John R.
• Application Number:
  US09/668,554
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/216, 250/208.1, 250/208.2, 345/157, 345/158, 345/159, 345/166, 156/293, 359/536, 359/538, 359/539, 359/540, 359/541
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0338 Fingerprint track pad, i.e. fingerprint sensor used as pointing device tracking the fingertip image
• 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 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating a control signal which corresponds to movement of an object in contact with a first surface are described. The apparatus includes a platen having the first surface. The platen is characterized by a critical angle beyond which light incident upon the first surface is not transmitted. A source of electromagnetic radiation emits electromagnetic radiation through the platen thereby illuminating the object. A detector having a plurality of sectors receives a portion of the electromagnetic radiation diffused by the object and transmitted through the platen beyond the critical angle. The sectors of the detector accumulate charge in response to the incident electromagnetic radiation. Conversion circuitry then converts the charge accumulated in the detector to the control signal, which in a specific embodiment is for controlling the movement of a pointer on a display.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating image data representative of an object, comprising:

a source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting electromagnetic radiation which is diffused by the object;

a microsphere lens for transmitting a portion of the electromagnetic radiation;

a detector for receiving the portion of the electromagnetic radiation and generating charge in response thereto, the detector being implemented in a single semiconductor substrate; and

circuitry for generating the image data from the charge generated in the detector, the circuitry being implemented in the single semiconductor substrate with the detector;

wherein the microsphere lens is fixed with respect to the detector using an adhesive material having a first index of refraction which is substantially the same as a second index of refraction associated with the microsphere lens.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry comprises a computer port interface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry comprises encryption circuitry for encrypting the image data.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry comprises memory for storing the image data.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry comprises an analog-to-digital converter.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry comprises an external signal input port for injecting signals into the analog-to-digital converter.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry comprises security circuitry which limits access to the image data.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microsphere lens is part of a telecentric lens system for transmitting the portion of the electromagnetic radiation to the detector.

9. An apparatus for generating an image representative of an object, comprising a microsphere lens for transmitting electromagnetic radiation diffused by the object, and a detector for receiving the electromagnetic radiation and generating charge corresponding to the image in response thereto, wherein the microsphere lens is fixed with respect to the detector using an adhesive material having a first index of refraction which is substantially the same as a second index of refraction associated with the microsphere lens.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the microsphere lens is part of a telecentric lens system for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation to the detector.