Method for detecting gestures using a multi-segment photodiode and one or fewer illumination sources
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting a gesture, the method comprising:
- selectively blocking a portion of light reflected from an object from impinging on a light sensor assembly depending upon a position of the object relative to the light sensor assembly using a light modifying wall structure disposed adjacent to the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure comprising a plurality of layers and a plurality of vias, respective ones of the plurality of layers and the plurality of vias offset in a stair-step fashion with respect to a center axis defined perpendicular to a surface of the light sensor assembly;
calculating one or more differential signals according to time dependent signals output from the light sensor assembly, the light sensor assembly comprising a plurality of light sensors configured to detect light reflected from the object and to output the time dependent signals in response thereto; and
determining an object motion direction of the object passing over the light sensor assembly by applying vector analysis to the one or more differential signals.
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Abstract
A gesture sensing device includes a multiple segmented photo sensor and a control circuit for processing sensed voltages output from the sensor. The control circuit processes the sensed voltage signals to determine target motion relative to the segmented photo sensor. The control circuit includes an algorithm configured to calculate one of more differential analog signals using the sensed voltage signals output from the segmented photo sensors. A vector is determined according to the calculated differential analog signals, the vector is used to determine a direction and/or velocity of the target motion.
23 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a gesture, the method comprising:
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selectively blocking a portion of light reflected from an object from impinging on a light sensor assembly depending upon a position of the object relative to the light sensor assembly using a light modifying wall structure disposed adjacent to the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure comprising a plurality of layers and a plurality of vias, respective ones of the plurality of layers and the plurality of vias offset in a stair-step fashion with respect to a center axis defined perpendicular to a surface of the light sensor assembly; calculating one or more differential signals according to time dependent signals output from the light sensor assembly, the light sensor assembly comprising a plurality of light sensors configured to detect light reflected from the object and to output the time dependent signals in response thereto; and determining an object motion direction of the object passing over the light sensor assembly by applying vector analysis to the one or more differential signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus comprising:
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a light sensor assembly comprising a plurality of light sensors, the plurality of light sensors configured to detect the light reflected from an object and to output time dependent signals in response thereto; a light modifying wall structure disposed adjacent to the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure configured to selectively block a portion of the light reflected from the object depending on a position of the object relative to the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure comprising a plurality of layers and a plurality of vias, respective ones of the plurality of layers and the plurality of vias offset in a stair-step fashion with respect to a center axis defined perpendicular to a surface of the light sensor assembly; a memory configured to store data representing the time dependent signals; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute program instructions to cause the processor to; calculate one or more differential signals according to the time dependent signals output from the light sensor assembly; and determine an object motion direction of an object passing over the light sensor assembly by applying vector analysis to the one or more differential signals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification