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System and method for reducing power consumption in an optical screen pointing device

  • US 6,795,056 B2
  • Filed: 07/24/2001
  • Issued: 09/21/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

  • a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images;

    a motion transducer;

    a lens for receiving the reflected images and directing the reflected images onto the motion transducer, the motion transducer including an electronic shutter for controlling the amount of time that light is collected for image frames, the motion transducer configured to generate digital representations of the reflected images, the motion transducer configured to generate movement data based on the digital representations of the reflected images, the movement data indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the motion transducer; and

    a controller coupled to the light source for turning the light source on only during the time that light is being collected for an image frame, and for maintaining the light source in an off state when light is not being collected for an image frame wherein the light source is controlled by a shutter signal that also controls the electronic shutter.

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