Optical coupling assembly for image sensing operator input device

• US 6,531,692 B1
• Filed: 03/22/1999
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Adan, Manolito E., Venkat, Suresh, von Fuchs, Erik G., Casebolt, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PYO, KEVIN K
• Application Number:
  US09/273,899
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/208.1, 250/551, 250/227.11, 250/227.24, 345/156, 345/157, 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166
• US Class Current: 250/221
• 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

Abstract

An emitter lens is provided between the radiation source and the work surface to be illuminated. The emitter lens collects radiation and reshapes the illumination pattern to increase intensity and uniformity. The radiation source and emitter lens have associated housings which act to properly orient and align the emitter lens and radiation source. The emitter lens also acts to space the radiation source from an aperture in a housing of the computer input device to provide protection against damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD). An imaging lens is provided between the work surface and the image sensor to focus light reflected from the work surface onto the image sensor. An imaging lens housing or holder is provided to properly orient and align the imaging lens with the image sensor. The imaging lens housing provides an apron which increases ESD discharge path length. The imaging lens housing also provides bias members and a lens/sensor interface which act to accurately locate the imaging lens closely proximate the image sensor.

Claims

1. A coupling assembly in a computer input device having a first housing portion with an aperture therein, a radiation source, and an image detector, the radiation source emitting radiation through the aperture and the image detector receiving radiation reflected off of a work surface over which the computer input device is used, the coupling assembly comprising:

a source housing coupled to the radiation source;

a first optical coupler, having a longitudinal length and generally defining a substantially linear longitudinal axis, a collection end located proximate the radiation source and an emitting end emitting radiation collected by the collection end to form an illumination pattern on the work surface, the first optical coupler being disposed generally between the source housing and the aperture in the first housing portion; and

a first optical coupler housing supporting the first optical coupler therein such that its longitudinal axis is at an angle relative to the work surface between 0 and 90 degrees and supporting the first optical coupler to orient the first optical coupler at a predetermined, desired orientation about its longitudinal axis.

2. The coupling assembly of claim 1 wherein the first optical coupler comprises:

a shaping portion shaping the illumination pattern into a desired illumination pattern.

3. The coupling assembly of claim 2 wherein the first optical coupler housing is configured to support the first optical coupler such that radiation emitted by the emitting end thereof impinges on the work surface at an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees.

4. The coupling assembly of claim 3 wherein the shaping portion is configured to shape the illumination pattern to increase uniformity of radiation in the illumination pattern.

5. The coupling assembly of claim 4 wherein the shaping portion is configured to provide the desired illumination pattern as substantially circular.

6. The coupling assembly of claim 2 wherein the shaping portion is disposed at the emitting end of the first optical coupler.

7. The coupling assembly of claim 1 wherein the first optical coupler includes an elongate radiation conducting portion between the collection end and the emitting end.

8. The coupling assembly of claim 1 wherein the first housing has an exterior surface which defines the aperture and wherein the first optical coupler housing comprises:

a ramp sized to receive the first optical coupler thereon and to support the first optical coupler.

14. The coupling assembly of claim 1 wherein the source housing has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is located proximate the collecting end of the first optical coupler.

15. The coupling assembly of claim 14 wherein the first end of the source housing engages the first optical coupler, securing the first optical coupler in the first optical coupler housing.

16. The coupling assembly of claim 15 wherein the radiation source is electrically coupled to a circuit board and wherein the source housing includes a plurality of locators sized to fit within locator apertures in the circuit board.

17. The coupling assembly of claim 15 wherein the radiation source includes a characteristic keyed exterior shape and wherein the source housing includes an interior surface shaped to receive the characteristic keyed exterior shape of the radiation source.

18. The coupling assembly of claim 1 and further comprising:

a second optical coupler disposed between the aperture in the first housing portion of the computer input device and the image detector.

19. The coupling assembly of claim 18 wherein the second optical coupler includes:

an imaging lens located generally between the aperture in the first housing portion and the image detector, the imaging lens focusing radiation entering through the aperture in the first housing portion on the image detector.

20. The coupling assembly of claim 19 herein the second optical coupler includes:

an imaging lens mounting assembly coupled to the imaging lens.

21. The coupling assembly of claim 20 wherein the imaging lens mounting assembly comprises:

at least one bias member operably coupled to the imaging lens, biasing the imaging lens to a predetermined location relative to the image detector.

22. The coupling assembly of claim 21 wherein the at least one bias member biases the imaging lens toward the image detector.

23. The coupling assembly of claim 21 wherein the imaging lens mounting assembly includes:

a lens mounting area and an extending portion extending generally radially outwardly from the lens mounting area.

24. The coupling assembly of claim 23 wherein the at least one bias member comprises:

a plurality of resilient members coupled to an outer periphery of the extending portion, each resilient member including a projecting foot located to lift the lens mounting assembly in a direction generally toward the image detector.

25. The coupling assembly of claim 23 wherein the extending portion is formed of electrically insulative material and is sized to extend an electrostatic discharge travel path entering through aperture to a desired length.

26. The coupling assembly of claim 23 wherein the imaging lens mounting assembly is injection molded around the imaging lens so the imaging lens is integral with the imaging lens mounting assembly.

27. The coupling assembly of claim 23 wherein the imaging lens mounting assembly includes:

an interface configured to align the imaging lens with the image detector under a bias force exerted by the-at least one bias member.

28. The coupling assembly of claim 27 wherein the image detector includes a projecting aperture plate and wherein the interface includes a wall generally defining the lens holding area and shaped to mate with the projecting aperture plate.

29. The coupling assembly of claim 28 wherein the wall generally defining the lens holding area is sized to receive a portion of the projecting aperture plate such that, under the bias force, the interface seeks into alignment with the aperture plate.

30. The coupling assembly of claim 23 wherein the image detector is mounted to a circuit board and wherein the extending portion includes a plurality of projections, spaced from the lens mounting area and projecting toward the circuit board to limit relative movement of the circuit board and the extending portion.

31. The coupling assembly of claim 18 wherein the second optical coupler includes:

an imaging lens adhesively secured to the lower housing portion of the computer input device adjacent the aperture.

32. The coupling assembly of claim 18 wherein the second optical coupler includes:

an imaging lens fixedly secured to the lower housing portion of the computer input device adjacent the aperture by a securing mechanism which precludes electrostatic discharge therethrough.

33. The coupling assembly of claim 18 wherein the imaging lens mounting assembly includes:

a lens receiving cavity adjacent the aperture in the first housing portion, the imaging lens fixedly secured to the first housing portion of the computer input device within the lens receiving cavity by a securing mechanism which precludes electrostatic discharge therethrough.

9. A coupling assembly in a computer input device having a first housing portion with an aperture therein, a radiation source, and an image detector, the radiation source emitting radiation through the aperture and the image detector receiving radiation reflected off of a work surface over which the computer input device is used, the coupling assembly comprising:

a source housing coupled to the radiation source;

a first optical coupler disposed generally between the source housing and the aperture in the first housing portion,

a first optical coupler housing supporting the first optical coupler,

wherein the first optical coupler comprises;

a collection end located proximate the radiation source, collecting radiation emitted by the radiation source,

an emitting end emitting radiation collected by the collection end to form an illumination pattern on the work surface,

wherein the first housing has an exterior surface which defines the aperture and wherein the first optical coupler housing comprises;

a ramp sized to receive the first optical coupler thereon and to support the first optical coupler at an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the exterior surface,

wherein the first optical coupler includes a plurality of flanges disposed about an outer periphery thereof and engaging the ramp.

10. The coupling assembly of claim 9 wherein the first optical coupler housing further defines a cavity having an inlet sized to receive the emitting end of the first optical coupler.

11. The coupling assembly of claim 10 wherein at least one of the plurality of flanges abuts the first optical coupler housing adjacent the.inlet to preclude further movement of the first optical coupler into the cavity.

12. The coupling assembly of claim 10 wherein the first optical coupler housing further comprises:

a wall extending about a portion of the inlet, separating the inlet from the image detector.

13. The coupling assembly of claim 12 wherein the first optical coupler housing is formed integrally with the first housing portion.

34. A computer input device comprising:

a first housing portion with an aperture therein;

a radiation source;

an image detector, the radiation source emitting radiation through the aperture and the image detector receiving radiation reflected off of a work surface over which the computer input device is used; and

a coupling assembly comprising a source housing coupled to the radiation source, a first optical coupler, having a longitudinal length and generally defining a substantially linear longitudinal axis, a collection end located proximate the radiation source and an emitting end emitting radiation collected by the collection end to form an illumination pattern on the work surface, the first optical coupler being disposed generally between the source housing and the aperture in the first housing portion, and a first optical coupler housing supporting the first optical coupler therein supporting the first optical coupler to orient the first optical coupler at a predetermined, desired orientation about its longitudinal axis.

35. The computer input device of claim 34 wherein the first optical coupler includes:

a collection end located proximate the radiation source, collecting radiation emitted by the radiation source; and

an emitting end emitting radiation collected by the collection end to form an illumination pattern on the work surface, the emitting end shaping the illumination pattern into a desired illumination pattern to increase uniformity of radiation on the work surface.

36. A computer input device comprising:

a first housing portion with an aperture therein;

a radiation source;

an image detector, the radiation source emitting radiation through the aperture and the image detector receiving radiation reflected off of a work surface over which the computer input device is used; and

a coupling assembly comprising an elongate optical conductor;

the elongate optical conductor having a longitudinal length and generally defining a substantially linear longitudinal axis, wherein the elongate optical conductor is oriented at a predetermined, desired orientation about its longitudinal axis, conducting radiation from the radiation source toward the aperture and being sized to space the radiation source from aperture by an amount sufficient to increase an electrostatic discharge path, measured from the aperture to the radiation source, to a desired length.

37. A coupling assembly in a computer input device having a first housing portion, a radiation source, and an image detector, the radiation source emitting radiation toward a movable surface and the image detector receiving radiation reflected off of the surface, the coupling assembly comprising:

a source housing coupled to the radiation source;

a first optical coupler, having a longitudinal length and generally defining a substantially linear longitudinal axis, a collection end located proximate the radiation source and an emitting end emitting radiation collected by the collection end to form an illumination pattern on the work surface, the first optical coupler being disposed generally between the source housing and the movable surface; and

a first optical coupler housing supporting the first optical coupler therein such that its longitudinal axis is at an angle relative to the work surface between 0 and 90 degrees and supporting the first optical coupler to orient the first optical coupler at a predetermined, desired orientation about its longitudinal axis.

38. The coupling assembly of claim 37 wherein the first optical coupler comprises:

a collection end located proximate the radiation source, collecting radiation emitted by the radiation source.

39. The coupling assembly of claim 38 wherein the first optical coupler comprises:

an emitting end emitting radiation collected by the collection end to form an illumination pattern on the movable surface.

40. The coupling assembly of claim 39 wherein the first optical coupler comprises:

a shaping portion shaping the illumination pattern into a desired illumination pattern.

41. The coupling assembly of claim 40 wherein the computer input device includes a rotatable member and wherein the surface comprises a surface of the rotatable member.

42. The coupling assembly of claim 39 wherein the first optical coupler includes an elongate radiation conducting portion between the collection end and the emitting end.

43. The coupling assembly of claim 37 and further comprising:

a second optical coupler disposed between the surface and the image detector.

44. The coupling assembly of claim 43 wherein the second optical coupler includes:

an imaging lens located generally between the movable surface and the image detector, the imaging lens focusing radiation reflected from the movable surface on the image detector.

45. The coupling assembly of claim 44 wherein the second optical coupler includes:

an imaging lens mounting assembly coupled to the imaging lens.

46. The coupling assembly of claim 45 wherein the imaging lens mounting assembly comprises:

at least one bias member operably coupled to the imaging lens, biasing the imaging lens to a predetermined location relative to the image detector.

47. The coupling assembly of claim 46 wherein the imaging lens mounting assembly includes:

a lens mounting area and an extending portion extending generally radially outwardly from the lens mounting area.