Pattern detection using an optical navigation device

• US 7,733,329 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2005
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Xie, Tong
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu; Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZUBAJLO, JENNIFER L
• Application Number:
  US11/254,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20070085859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,693 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-172, 382/181, 382209-221
• US Class Current: 345/166
• 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 optical navigation device that is capable of performing pattern detection. An optical navigation device according to the present teachings includes a image sensor that acquires a series of images of a surface and an image buffer for holding a template and a processor that detects a pattern on the surface by comparing the series of images to the template. The form factor of an optical navigation device enables its use as a pattern detection device for a wide variety of patterns on a wide variety of surfaces having a wide variety of forms.

Claims

1. An optical navigation device, comprising:

image sensor that acquires a series of images of a surface;

image buffer for holding a template; and

processor that detects a pattern on the surface by comparing more than one image in the series of images to the template,

wherein the processor detects the pattern by determining a motion of the optical navigation device with respect to the surface in response to the series of images and generating a combined image by stitching together a subset of the images in the series in response to the motion and comparing the combined image to the template.

2. The optical navigation device of claim 1, wherein the optical navigation device is an optical navigation mouse.

3. The optical navigation device of claim 1, wherein the optical navigation device is a light pen.

4. The optical navigation device of claim 1, wherein the processor compares each image in the series to the template.

5. The optical navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a light source for illuminating the surface.

6. The optical navigation device of claim 5, wherein the light source is selected in response to the pattern on the surface.

7. The optical navigation device of claim 5, wherein the light source has a wavelength that is selected in response to the pattern on the surface.

8. The optical navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a communication path for obtaining the template from a host computer.

9. A pattern detection system, comprising:

optical navigation device having a image sensor that acquires a series of images of a surface; and

host computer that obtains the series of images from the optical navigation device and that detects a pattern by comparing more than one image in the series of images to a template,

wherein the host computer generates a combined image by stitching together a subset of the images and compares the combined image to the template.

10. The pattern detection system of claim 9, wherein the optical navigation device is an optical navigation mouse.

11. The pattern detection system of claim 9, wherein the optical navigation device is a light pen.

12. The pattern detection system of claim 9, wherein the host computer stitches together the subset of the images by determining a motion of the optical navigation device in response to the images.

13. The pattern detection system of claim 9, wherein the optical navigation device includes a light source for illuminating the surface.

14. The pattern detection system of claim 13, wherein the light source is selected in response to the pattern on the surface.

15. The pattern detection system of claim 13, wherein the light source has a wavelength that is selected in response to the pattern on the surface.