Optical sensor based user interface for a portable electronic device

• US 7,411,583 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wong, Yoon Kean, Hanson, William Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick; Vince E
• Application Number:
  US10/951,537
• Time in Patent Office: 1,415 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/165, 345/166, 345/173, 345/175, 345/581, 348/20, 382/276
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/233 including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick constructional details of pointing devices per se G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required. In one embodiment, the apparatus, capable of sensing manipulation and directed by software, has a light source and corresponding light sensor.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

an optical unit operable to detect user interaction with said portable electronic device, wherein said optical unit comprises

an optical source; and

an optical sensor for detecting a variation in optical coupling between said optical source and said optical sensor, wherein said variation in optical coupling is in response to a user interaction with said portable electronic device; and

a processor coupled to said optical unit, wherein said processor is operable to process said detected user interaction, and wherein said user interaction is operable to control the operation of said portable electronic device, and wherein said processor is further operable to modify the operation of said optical unit in response to said detected user interaction.

2. The portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said optical source is selected from a group consisting of:

a light emitting diode (LED);

a laser diode (LD); and

a quantum dot.

3. The portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said optical sensor is selected from a group consisting of:

a solid state photosensitive electro-optical device;

a quantum photodetector;

a radiometer; and

a pyroelectric detector.

4. The portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said processor controls scanning between said optical source and said optical sensor at a variable rate.

5. The portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said optical coupling varies in response to a user'"'"'s varying touch.

6. The portable electronic device as described in claim 1 further comprising:

a display operable to display information, wherein said display is further operable to display information in response to said detected user interaction.

7. The portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said optical unit comprises a surface, and wherein said optical unit is further operable to detect speed and direction of movement over said surface.

8. The portable electronic device as described in claim 7, wherein said processor in response to said optical unit detecting a first movement at a first speed performs a first display update.

9. A method of optical detection within a mobile device, said method comprising:

optically detecting a user interaction with said mobile electronic device using optical detector;

detecting speed and direction of movement over a surface of said mobile electronic device;

processing information related to said user interaction;

in response to said processing, controlling the operation of said mobile electronic device; and

in response to said processing, modifying optical characteristics for said optical detector.

10. The method as described in claim 9 wherein said optically detecting comprises:

supplying optical signals via an optical source;

receiving said optical signals via an optical sensor of said optical detector; and

determining variation in optical coupling between said optical source and said optical sensor, wherein said variation is in response to a user interaction with said mobile electronic device.

11. The method as described in claim 10 further comprising:

scanning between said optical source and said optical sensor.

12. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising:

changing a rate of said scanning in response to said processing.

13. The method as described in claim 10, wherein said variation in optical coupling is in response to a user'"'"'s varying touch.

14. The method as described in claim 9 further comprising:

displaying appropriate information in response to said detected user interaction.

15. A method of enabling user interaction with a portable electronic device comprising:

displaying information on a display of said portable electronic device;

optically detecting a user interaction with said portable electronic device using an optical detector, wherein said detected user interaction is operable to control the operation of said portable electronic device, wherein said detecting comprises;

supplying optical signals via an optical source;

receiving said optical signals via an optical sensor of said optical detector; and

determining variation in optical coupling between said optical source and said optical sensor, wherein said variation is responsive to a user interaction with said portable electronic device;

processing information related to said user interaction;

in response to said processing, updating information on said display of said portable electronic device; and

in response to said processing, modifying optical characteristics for said optical detector.

16. The method as described in claim 15 further comprising:

scanning between said optical source and said optical sensor.

17. The method as described in claim 16 further comprising:

changing a rate of said scanning in response to said processing.

18. The method as described in claim 15, wherein said variation in optical coupling is in response to a user'"'"'s varying touch.

19. The method as described in claim 15 further comprising:

detecting the speed and the direction of movement over a surface of said portable electronic device.