Optical navigation devices

• US 8,988,391 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics Limited (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics Limited (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Reigneau, Mathieu
• Primary Examiner(s): Pappas, Claire X
• Assistant Examiner(s): STONE, ROBERT M
• Application Number:
  US13/053,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20110234541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 345/175
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04109 FTIR in optical digitiser, i.e. touch detection by frustrating the total internal reflection within an optical waveguide due to changes of optical properties or deformation at the touch location
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

An imaging device may have an imaging surface and a sensor. The imaging surface may be illuminated by a first source and reflect at least some of the illumination to the sensor to detect an image. The imaging device may have a predetermined width and an optical path passing therethrough. The imaging device may be illuminated by a second source, and the illumination of the second source may be directed to one or more predetermined regions on or near the imaging surface to produce an optical effect associated with the imaging surface.

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising:

an optical element having an imaging surface and at least one region adjacent said imaging surface;

a first light source configured to transmit radiation over a first optical path to illuminate said imaging surface;

a sensor configured to detect reflected illumination from said imaging surface to detect an image; and

a second light source configured to transmit radiation over a second optical path to illuminate said at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with said imaging surface, the illumination from said second light source being at least partially transmitted by said at least one region;

said first and second optical paths crossing in said optical element.

2. The imaging device of claim 1 wherein said optical element defines an optical path therethrough and between said first light source and said sensor.

3. The imaging device of claim 1 wherein the illumination from said first source is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by movement of a pointer object moving relative to said imaging surface.

4. The imaging device of claim 1 wherein said optical element further includes a curved surface opposite said imaging surface;

and wherein said curved surface is configured to collimate the illumination from said second light source onto said at least one region.

5. The imaging device of claim 4 further comprising a coating layer on said curved surface to prevent said second light source from illuminating said imaging surface.

6. The imaging device of claim 1 further comprising a mask plate configured to prevent said second light source from illuminating said imaging surface.

7. The imaging device of claim 1 wherein said at least one region defines a perimeter around said imaging surface.

8. The imaging device of claim 1 wherein said at least one region has a rough surface.

9. The imaging device of claim 1 wherein said optical element comprises an integral optical element.

10. The imaging device of claim 1 wherein said optical element comprises a molded optical element.

11. An electronic device comprising:

an imaging device comprising

an optical element having an imaging surface and at least one region adjacent said imaging surface,

a first light source configured to transmit radiation over a first optical path to illuminate said imaging surface,

a sensor configured to detect reflected illumination from said imaging surface to detect an image, and

a second light source configured to transmit radiation over a second optical path to illuminate said at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with said imaging surface, the illumination from said second light source being at least partially transmitted by said at least one region,

said first and second optical paths crossing in said optical element.

12. The electronic device of claim 11 wherein said optical element defines an optical path therethrough and between said first light source and said sensor.

13. The electronic device of claim 11 wherein the illumination from said first source is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by movement of a pointer object moving relative to said imaging surface.

14. The electronic device of claim 11 wherein said optical element further includes a curved surface opposite said imaging surface;

and wherein said curved surface is configured to collimate the illumination from said second light source onto said at least one region.

15. The electronic device of claim 14 wherein said imaging device further comprises a coating layer on said curved surface to prevent said second light source from illuminating said imaging surface.

16. The electronic device of claim 11 wherein said imaging device further comprises a mask plate configured to prevent said second light source from illuminating said imaging surface.

17. The electronic device of claim 11 wherein said imaging device defines an optical navigation device.

18. The electronic device of claim 11 further comprising a personal computer device cooperating with said imaging device.

19. The electronic device of claim 11 further comprising a phone device cooperating with said imaging device.

20. The electronic device of claim 11 further comprising a camera device cooperating with said imaging device.

21. The electronic device of claim 11 further comprising a remote controller device cooperating with said imaging device.

22. A method of making an imaging device comprising:

forming an optical element having an imaging surface and at least one region adjacent the imaging surface;

positioning a first light source to transmit radiation over a first optical path to illuminate the imaging surface;

positioning a sensor to detect reflected illumination from the imaging surface to detect an image; and

positioning a second light source to transmit radiation over a second optical path to illuminate the at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with the imaging surface, the illumination from the second light source being at least partially transmitted by the at least one region, the first and second optical paths crossing in the optical element.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising forming an optical path through the optical element and between the first light source and the sensor.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the illumination from the first source is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by movement of a pointer object moving relative to the imaging surface.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising forming the optical element to further include a curved surface opposite the imaging surface, the curved surface collimating the illumination from the second light source onto the at least one region.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising forming a coating layer on the curved surface to prevent the second light source from illuminating the imaging surface.

27. The method of claim 22 further comprising positioning a mask plate to prevent the second light source from illuminating the imaging surface.

28. An imaging device comprising:

an optical element having an imaging surface, a curved surface opposite said imaging surface, and at least one region adjacent said imaging surface;

a first light source configured to illuminate said imaging surface;

a sensor configured to detect reflected illumination from said imaging surface to detect an image; and

a second light source configured to illuminate said at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with said imaging surface;

said curved surface of said optical element configured to collimate the illumination from said second light source onto said at least one region.

29. An electronic device comprising:

an imaging device comprising

an optical element having an imaging surface, a curved surface opposite said imaging surface, and at least one region adjacent said imaging surface,

a first light source configured to illuminate said imaging surface,

a sensor configured to detect reflected illumination from said imaging surface to detect an image, and

a second light source configured to illuminate said at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with said imaging surface,

said curved surface of said optical element configured to collimate the illumination from said second light source onto said at least one region.

30. A method of making an imaging device comprising:

forming an optical element having an imaging surface, a curved surface opposite the imaging surface, and at least one region adjacent the imaging surface;

positioning a first light source to illuminate the imaging surface;

positioning a sensor to detect reflected illumination from the imaging surface to detect an image; and

positioning a second light source to illuminate the at least one region to produce an optical effect associated with the imaging surface, the curved surface of the optical element collimating the illumination from the second light source onto the at least one region.