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Optical naviagation module having a metallic illumination ring

  • US 8,982,063 B2
  • Filed: 08/23/2011
  • Issued: 03/17/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A communication device comprising:

  • an optical navigation module configured to generate a navigation signal, the optical navigation module comprising;

    a navigation pad having a top surface and a bottom surface;

    a metallic ring surrounding at least a portion of the navigation pad and having at least an exposed top surface;

    an illumination ring surrounding the metallic ring, the illumination ring being the same ring as the metallic ring and having at least an exposed top surface;

    a light source that emits light, the light source being optically coupled to the illumination ring and being optically decoupled from the navigation pad;

    a light sensor communicatively coupled to the light source, the light sensor configured to generate at least one first signal indicating a sufficient ambient light condition and at least one second signal indicating an insufficient ambient light condition, with the light source emitting light in response to an indication of an insufficient ambient light condition and the light source not emitting light in response to an indication of a sufficient ambient light condition;

    a capacitive sensor positioned below the bottom surface of the navigation pad, the capacitive sensor being configured to detect movement of an object above the top surface of the navigation pad in the Z axis in the event the object is within a set range of the top surface of the navigation pad; and

    a laser sensor positioned below the bottom surface of the navigation pad, the laser sensor being configured to detect movement of the object in at least one of X axis and Y axis in the event the object is in contact with the top surface of the navigation pad.

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