Mouse having an optically-based scrolling feature

• US 7,358,963 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Berkeley, Brian H., Lyon, Benjamin Bendix, Low, Wing Kong
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIMNHUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/238,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,045 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-175, 345/179, 345156-158, 345163-166
• US Class Current: 345/175
• 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 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

A peripheral input device for controlling movements on a display screen. The peripheral input device includes a housing and an optical touch pad carried by the housing. The optical touch pad is configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen.

Claims

1. A mouse for use in a computer system having a display screen, the mouse comprising:

a first position detection mechanism configured to track the position of a finger moving across an outer surface of the mouse and to generate signals for controlling movements on the display screen; and

a second position detection mechanism configured to track the position of the mouse moving across a surface and to generate signals for controlling movements on the display screen,

wherein each of the position detection mechanisms includes an optical sensor and wherein the position detection mechanisms share a light source, the light source cooperating with each of the optical sensors.

2. The mouse as recited in claim 1 wherein the first position detection mechanism generates signals for controlling a first movement on the display screen, and wherein the second position detection mechanism generates signals for controlling a second movement, the first movement being different than the second movement.

3. The mouse as recited in claim 2 wherein the first movement corresponds to a scrolling movement, and wherein the second movement corresponds to a cursor movement.

4. The mouse as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the position detection mechanism includes a microcontroller.

5. The mouse as recited in claim 1 further including a housing that includes a base for moveably supporting the mouse on a surface and a body carried by the base for allowing the mouse to be held by the user.

6. The mouse as recited in claim 5 wherein the first position detection mechanism includes an optical sensor and wherein the body is formed from a translucent material thereby allowing the first position detection mechanism to work therethrough.

7. The mouse as recited in claim 5 wherein the body is movably coupled to the base so as to provide one or more clicking actions for performing actions on the display screen.

8. The mouse as recited in claim 5 wherein the mouse includes a mechanical button that is disposed in the body, the mechanical button providing one or more clicking actions for performing actions on the display screen.

9. The mouse as recited in claim 1 further including a processor operatively coupled to each of the position detection mechanisms.

10. A mouse for controlling movements on a display screen, the peripheral input device comprising:

a housing for enclosing internally various electrical components associated with the mouse;

a position detection mechanism carried by the housing, the position detection mechanism being configured to translate housing motion into movements on the display screen;

an optical touch pad carried by the housing, the optical touch pad being configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen, the optical touch pad including an optically operable window that is a portion of the housing of the mouse, and an optical system that is located within the housing and configured to work through the optically operable window so as to detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, the optical system including a single light source and one or more optical sensors so that they can detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window by receiving light reflected directly from the finger through the optically operable window, wherein the light source is a light emitter configured to shine light towards the optically operable window, and the optical sensors are light detectors configured to measure the light intensity of the light that is reflected off an object located at the optically operable window.

11. A mouse for controlling movements on a display screen, the peripheral input device comprising:

a housing for enclosing internally various electrical components associated with the mouse;

a position detection mechanism carried by the housing, the position detection mechanism being configured to translate housing motion into movements on the display screen;

an optical touch pad carried by the housing, the optical touch pad being configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen, the optical touch pad including an optically operable window that is a portion of the housing of the mouse, and an optical system that is located within the housing and configured to work through the optically operable window so as to detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, the optical system including a single light source and one or more optical sensors so that they can detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window by receiving light reflected directly from the finger through the optically operable window; and

an audio feedback device that provides audio feedback to the user at the rate at which an object is moved across the optically operable window.

12. A mouse for controlling movements on a display screen, the peripheral input device comprising:

a housing for enclosing internally various electrical components associated with the mouse;

a position detection mechanism carried by the housing, the position detection mechanism being configured to translate housing motion into movements on the display screen;

an optical touch pad carried by the housing, the optical touch pad being configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen, the optical touch pad including an optically operable window that is a portion of the housing of the mouse, and an optical system that is located within the housing and configured to work through the optically operable window so as to detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, the optical system including a single light source and one or more optical sensors so that they can detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window by receiving light reflected directly from the finger through the optically operable window, wherein the optically operable window is located above a printed circuit board enclosed within the housing of the mouse, the light source and optical sensors are mounted on a bottom side of a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board includes one or more openings through which the light source and optical sensors optically communicate with the scrolling region.

13. A mouse for controlling movements on a display screen, the peripheral input device comprising:

a housing for enclosing internally various electrical components associated with the mouse;

a position detection mechanism carried by the housing, the position detection mechanism being configured to translate housing motion into movements on the display screen; and

an optical touch pad carried by the housing, the optical touch pad being configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen, the optical touch pad including an optically operable window that is a portion of the housing of the mouse, and an optical system that is located within the housing and configured to work through the optically operable window so as to detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, the optical system including a single light source and one or more optical sensors so that they can detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, wherein the optically operable window is located above a printed circuit board enclosed within the housing of the mouse, the light source and optical sensors are mounted on a bottom side of a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board includes one or more openings through which the light source and optical sensors optically communicate with the scrolling region.

14. The mouse as recited in claim 13 wherein the housing is formed from a translucent material.

15. The mouse as recited in claim 13 wherein the optical sensor is an image acquisition sensor capable of capturing images of the finger as its moved across the optically operable window.

16. The mouse as recited in claim 13 wherein the optical sensor is a light detector capable of measuring the intensity of light reflecting off the finger as the finger is moved across the optically operable window.

17. The mouse as recited in claim 13 wherein the optical sensor is coupled to a controller that interprets the data collected by the optical sensor, and that reports this information to a host system.

18. The mouse as recited in claim 13 wherein the light source is a light emitter configured to shine light towards the optically operable window, and the optical sensors are light detectors configured to measure the light intensity of the light that is reflected off an object located at the optically operable window.

19. The mouse as recited in claim 13 wherein housing is formed from an optically transmissive material.

20. The mouse as recited in claim 13 wherein the optical system includes one or more light sources and one or more optical sensors, the number of optical sensors being greater than the number of light sources.

21. The mouse as recited in claim 13 wherein the optical system includes a single light source and one or more optical sensors.

22. A mouse for controlling movements on a display screen, the peripheral input device comprising:

a housing for enclosing internally various electrical components associated with the mouse;

a position detection mechanism carried by the housing, the position detection mechanism being configured to translate housing motion into movements on the display screen;

an optical touch pad carried by the housing, the optical touch pad being configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen, the optical touch pad including an optically operable window that is a portion of the housing of the mouse, and an optical system that is located within the housing and configured to work through the optically operable window so as to detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, the optical system including a single light source and one or more optical sensors so that they can detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window; and

an audio feedback device that provides audio feedback to the user at the rate at which an object is moved across the optically operable window.

23. A mouse for controlling movements on a display screen, the peripheral input device comprising:

a housing for enclosing internally various electrical components associated with the mouse;

a position detection mechanism carried by the housing, the position detection mechanism being configured to translate housing motion into movements on the display screen;

an optical touch pad carried by the housing, the optical touch pad being configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen, the optical touch pad including an optically operable window that is a portion of the housing of the mouse, and an optical system that is located within the housing and configured to work through the optically operable window so as to detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, the optical system including a single light source and one or more optical sensors so that they can detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, wherein the optical touch pad includes one or more optical components that help direct the light between the light source and the optical sensor; and

a light guide that directs light from the light source to the housing at the scrolling region, and a lens that helps direct light from the housing at the scrolling region to the optical sensors.

24. A mouse for controlling movements on a display screen, the peripheral input device comprising:

a housing for enclosing internally various electrical components associated with the mouse;

a position detection mechanism carried by the housing, the position detection mechanism being configured to translate housing motion into movements on the display screen; and

an optical touch pad carried by the housing, the optical touch pad being configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen, the optical touch pad including an optically operable window that is a portion of the housing of the mouse, and an optical system that is located within the housing and configured to work through the optically operable window so as to detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, the optical system including a single light source and one or more optical sensors so that they can detect movements of a finger in close proximity to and moving across the optically operable window, wherein the light source is a light emitter configured to shine light towards the optically operable window, and the optical sensors are light detectors configured to measure the light intensity of the light that is reflected off an object located at the optically operable window.

25. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the optical sensor is coupled to a controller that interprets the data collected by the optical sensor, and that reports this information to a host system.

26. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the optical system includes one or more light sources and one or more optical sensors, the number of optical sensors being greater than the number of light sources.

27. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the housing is gripped by a user during manipulation of the peripheral input device.

28. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the optical system includes a single light source and one or more optical sensors.

29. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the optical sensor is a light detector capable of measuring the intensity of light reflecting off the finger as the finger is moved across the optically operable window.

30. The mouse as recited in claim 24 further including one or more buttons configured to provide a clicking action for performing actions on the display screen.

31. The mouse as recited in claim 30 wherein the one or more buttons correspond to a mechanical button that works through the housing.

32. The mouse as recited in claim 30 wherein the one or more buttons correspond to a unified button/housing that incorporates the functionality of the button directly into the housing.

33. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the optically operable window is located above a printed circuit board enclosed within the housing of the mouse, the light source and optical sensors are mounted on a top side of the printed circuit board.

34. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the optically operable window makes up a substantial portion of the housing.

35. The mouse as recited in claim 34 wherein housing is formed from an optically transmissive material.

36. The mouse as recited in claim 35 wherein the housing is formed from a translucent material.

37. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

38. The mouse as recited in claim 24 further including a position detection mechanism carried by the housing, the position detection mechanism being configured to perform additional movements on the display screen.

39. The mouse as recited in claim 38 wherein the position detection mechanism is configured to translate finger motion or housing motion into movements on the display screen.

40. The mouse as recited in claim 38 wherein the movements controlled by the optical touch pad are different than the movements controlled by the position detection mechanism.

41. The mouse as recited in claim 40 wherein the movements controlled by the optical touch pad correspond to scrolling movements and wherein the movements controlled by the position detection mechanism correspond to cursor movements.

42. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the light source is a light emitting diode and the optical sensor is an image acquisition sensor.

43. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the optical sensor is an image acquisition sensor capable of capturing images of the finger as its moved across the optically operable window.

44. The mouse as recited in claim 43 wherein the image acquisition sensor is a CMOS image sensor.

45. The mouse as recited in claim 24 wherein the peripheral input device is a mouse, wherein the housing forms a portion of the mouse housing, and wherein the mouse housing provides a structure for moving the mouse along a surface, for gripping the mouse for movement thereof and for implementing at least one button function of the mouse.

46. The mouse as recited in claim 45 wherein the mouse is a unibody mouse, wherein the mouse housing includes a base and a button body that encloses the optical sensor, the base being configured to moveably support the mouse during use thereof, the button body being configured to move relative to the base so as to provide a clicking action, and wherein the button body includes the optically operable window.