Optical navigation module with alignment features

• US 8,823,638 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Chao
• Primary Examiner(s): Sharifi-Tafreshi, Koosha
• Application Number:
  US13/025,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20120206329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 379/368, 341/20, 361/679.1, 361/679.18, 345/156, 345/157, 345/166, 345/167, 345/173, 345/175, 178 1801- 1811
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks

Abstract

An optical navigation module comprising a rigid flange having a top surface. An optical navigation unit can be coupled to the top surface of the rigid flange with an electrical connection electrically coupled to the optical navigation unit. An alignment flange can be coupled to the rigid flange with the alignment feature including one or more alignment features. The alignment feature can be a hole adapted to receive an alignment pin to hold and align the optical navigation module.

Claims

1. An optical navigation module, comprising:

a rigid flange having a top surface;

an optical navigation unit coupled to the top surface of the rigid flange, the optical navigation unit including a contact surface and being configured to detect direct contact of the contact surface by an external object;

an electrical connection electrically coupled to the optical navigation unit; and

an alignment flange coupled to the rigid flange, the alignment flange including;

a center portion;

an outer portion that surrounds the center portion, the outer portion having a thicker dimension than the center portion, the center portion being configured to deflect to provide an actuation force and generate an electrical signal in response to pressure applied to the optical navigation unit; and

at least one alignment feature.

2. The optical navigation module of claim 1, wherein the rigid flange is plastic.

3. The optical navigation module of claim 1, wherein the rigid flange is configured to support the optical navigation module, the rigid flange being configured to deflect with the alignment flange to provide the actuation force when pressure is applied to the optical navigation unit.

4. The optical navigation module of claim 1, wherein the optical navigation unit is one of an optical navigation pad and an optical jog ball.

5. The optical navigation module of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection is a flexible printed circuit.

6. The optical navigation module of claim 1, wherein the alignment flange aligns the optical navigation module in an x-direction and a y-direction when assembled in a communication device.

7. The optical navigation module of claim 1, wherein the alignment flange forms at least one alignment feature adapted to receive an alignment post.

8. The optical navigation module of claim 1, wherein each alignment feature is formed on the outer portion.

9. The optical navigation module of claim 1, wherein the alignment flange is pre-loaded by providing a different thickness at the center portion relative to the outer portion.

19. The optical navigation module of claim 6, wherein, when assembled in the communication device, the optical navigation unit is positioned on a front face of the communication device adjacent to a keyboard, the keyboard being positioned on the front face and configured for contact by the external object.

10. A communication device comprising:

a display;

an optical navigation module, comprising

a rigid flange having a top surface;

an optical navigation unit coupled to the top surface of the rigid flange, the optical navigation unit including a contact surface and being configured to detect direct contact of the contact surface by an external object;

an electrical connection electrically coupled to the optical navigation unit; and

an alignment flange coupled to the rigid flange, the alignment flange including;

a center portion;

an outer portion that surrounds the center portion, the outer portion having a thicker dimension than the center portion, the center portion being configured to deflect to provide an actuation force and generate an electrical signal in response to pressure applied to the optical navigation unit; and

at least one alignment feature; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the display and the optical navigation module via the electrical connection, the processor being configured to cause navigation of the display in response to detecting the direct contact of the contact surface by the external object.

11. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the rigid flange is plastic.

12. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the rigid flange is configured to support the optical navigation module, the rigid flange being configured to deflect with the alignment flange to provide the actuation force when pressure is applied to the optical navigation unit.

13. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the optical navigation unit is one of an optical navigation pad and an optical jog ball.

14. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the electrical connection is a flexible printed circuit.

15. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the alignment flange aligns the optical navigation module in an x-direction and a y-direction when assembled in the communication device.

16. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the alignment flange forms at least one alignment feature adapted to receive an alignment post.

17. The communication device of claim 10, wherein each alignment feature is formed on the outer portion.

18. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the alignment flange is pre-loaded by providing a different thickness at the center portion relative to the outer portion.

20. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the display and the optical navigation unit are positioned on a front face of the communication device, the optical navigation unit being positioned adjacent to the display.

21. The communication device of claim 10 further comprising:

a keyboard positioned on a front face of the communication device for contact by the external object, the display and the optical navigation unit being positioned on the front face, the optical navigation unit being positioned adjacent to the keyboard and the display.