Optical naviagation module having a metallic illumination ring
First Claim
Patent Images
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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Abstract
A navigation module for a handheld communication device having a navigation pad, a chrome-like ring surrounding the navigation pad, an illumination ring surrounding the navigation pad, and at least one light source optically coupled to the at least the illumination ring. The illumination ring can be interposed between the chrome-like ring and the navigation pad. The chrome-like ring can be interposed between the illumination ring and the navigation pad. The light source can be a light emitting diode.
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Citations
18 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A communication device comprising:
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a display; a navigation tool 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 the 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 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; and a microprocessor communicatively coupled to the display, the capacitive sensor, the laser sensor and the light sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. 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, the metallic ring comprising a non-translucent portion not adapted to illuminate and a translucent portion adapted to illuminate with the translucent portion surrounding the non-translucent portion; a light source that emits light, the light source being optically coupled to the metallic 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 and 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; a lens; 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.
Specification