OPTICAL JOG WHEEL WITH SPIRAL CODING ELEMENT

• US 20100127162A1
• Filed: 01/27/2010
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Orsley, Timothy James, Wong, Weng Fei, Lum, Chee Foo, Foo, Siang Leong
• Granted Patent: US 8,247,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/231.180
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/3473 Circular or rotary encoders

Abstract

A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a dial, a coding element, and an encoder. The coding element is coupled to a dial. The coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections, each having a substantially oblique leading edge relative to a direction of movement of the coding element. The encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector detects a reflected light signal which corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal.

Claims

1. A user navigational apparatus comprising:

a rotary dial;

means for generating a light signal incident on a coded track;

means for generating a spiral-shaped light image in response to the light signal incident on the coded track; and

means for detecting motion of the coded track, wherein the coded track is configured to move in response to a first user movement of the rotary dial.

2. The user navigational apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

means for implementing a user navigational operation on a controlled device in response to the first user movement of the rotary dial; and

means for activating a switch in response to a second user movement of the rotary dial.

3. The user navigational apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for encapsulating at least a portion of an encoder mounted in conjunction with the coded track.

4. The user navigational apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for detecting the spiral-shaped light image.