Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer pointing device is provided with a navigation module, an electronic control system, and a motion-driven electromagnetic induction module. The electronic control system serves to activate and deactivate the navigation module. At times, the control system enters a sleep mode and deactivates the navigation module. In response to movement of the computer pointing device, the motion-driven electromagnetic induction module generates an output signal that wakes the control system and activates the navigation module. In another embodiment, a computer pointing device is provided with a housing, a battery, and a motion-driven electromagnetic induction module. The electromagnetic induction module is coupled to the battery, is enclosed within the housing, and is unconnected to any externally manipulable portion of the computer pointing device. Movement of the computer pointing device causes the electromagnetic induction module to charge the battery.

Abstract: An optical navigation system with optical imaging of multiple inputs using a single navigation sensor. The optical navigation system includes a tactile interface device, an image sensor, and a processor. The tactile interface device facilitates a navigation input. The image sensor intermittently generates images of a surface of the tactile interface device and images of a contact navigation surface. The image sensor also generates the images of the surface of the tactile interface device exclusive of the images of the contact navigation surface. The processor is coupled to the image sensor. The processor generates a first navigation signal based on the images of the tactile interface device and generates a second navigation signal based on the images of the contact navigation surface.

Abstract: An optical navigation device, such an optical mouse, includes a housing, an illumination system, a tracking engine, and multiple height-specific imaging systems located within the housing. The height-specific imaging systems generate image information in response to reflected light from a navigation surface and each one the height-specific imaging systems is positioned to detect the largest portion of reflected light at a different separation distance between the housing and the navigation surface. An integrated circuit (IC) device for optical navigation includes an aperture plate having height-specific apertures and height-specific navigation sensor arrays aligned in one-to-one correspondence with the height-specific apertures and configured to generate image information in response to light that passes through the corresponding height-specific apertures. An optical element for use in an optical navigation system includes an illumination source lens and multiple height-specific focal lenses.

Abstract: An optical navigation system and method for reducing the power consumption of the system uses a surface quality value of a captured image frame of a target surface to selectively reduce the number of photosensitive pixel elements to be used to capture a subsequent image frame.

Abstract: A control circuit having a drive circuit and a controller adapted for use in optical mice is disclosed. The drive circuit is connected between first and second ports and passes a current between those ports having an amplitude determined by a control signal that is generated by the controller. The first port is connected to an illumination device and the second port is connected to a power rail. The control circuit also includes a potential measuring circuit that generates a signal indicative of a drive circuit potential between the first and second ports. The controller records the drive circuit potential for a predetermined current when the first port is connected to an illumination device. The controller sets the control signal based on the recorded drive circuit potential. The control circuit can record the drive circuit potential when the controller is powered.

Abstract: An optical navigation system having two or more optical pipelines for image acquisition and a single multiplexed optical array. Each of the two or more optical pipelines for image acquisition may include an illuminator that emits optical radiation at a navigation surface where each navigation surface is separate from the other navigation surfaces. The single multiplexed optical array may be configured to receive optical radiation reflected from the respective navigation surfaces. The optical navigation system may further include illuminator drivers that control each of the optical pipelines for image acquisition and an optical sensor that is configured to multiplex the images recovered by the optical pipelines for image acquisition and perform image correlation for the different navigation surfaces.

Abstract: An optical navigation system having an illuminator housing and a sensor housing that are movably connected at a connection point with a connection mechanism, which may include a pivot. The illuminator housing and the sensor housing may be rotated about the connection point relative to each other so that the optical navigation system may be configured with a desired operating Z-height. The optical navigation system may also include a locking mechanism to lock the illuminator housing and the sensor housing in a predetermined fixed position after the desired operating Z-height has been selected.

Abstract: An optical computer mouse has a support structure that can be moved across a surface. An illumination source that illuminates a region of the surface is coupled to the support structure. An imaging system in the mouse includes an optical sensor array that receives light from the illuminated region of the work surface and an image processor that receives data from the optical sensor array. The optical computer mouse may be switched between a navigation mode of operation, in which the image processor detects motion of the optical computer mouse over the work surface, and a barcode reading mode of operation, in which the image processor senses a barcode as the optical computer mouse is moved across a barcode.

Abstract: A controller with a dial for manipulating objects in a computer environment. The dial is in communication with an optical encoder system using the reflective method. A knob is attached to the dial and provides both a reference point for the rotational position of the dial and a tactile element allowing the user to rotate the dial.

Abstract: A system and method for timing image acquisitions provide an optical charge pulse to a sensor within an optical imaging system prior to image acquisitions by the optical imaging system. This optical charge pulse compensates for dark current discharge in the sensor.

Abstract: An optical navigation system with optical imaging of multiple inputs using a single navigation sensor. The optical navigation system includes a tactile interface device, an image sensor, and a processor. The tactile interface device facilitates a navigation input. The image sensor intermittently generates images of a surface of the tactile interface device and images of a contact navigation surface. The image sensor also generates the images of the surface of the tactile interface device exclusive of the images of the contact navigation surface. The processor is coupled to the image sensor. The processor generates a first navigation signal based on the images of the tactile interface device and generates a second navigation signal based on the images of the contact navigation surface.

Abstract: An optical navigation apparatus and method for making the apparatus uses a light source and a sensor having an imaging array mounted on a leadframe and encapsulated in an optically transparent body structure. The optically transparent body structure is configured to include a prism-like feature to internally reflect light from the light source toward a target surface and an imaging lens feature to optically manipulate the light reflected from the target surface onto the imaging array of the sensor.

Abstract: An optical navigation apparatus and method for making the apparatus uses a light source and a sensor having an imaging array mounted on a leadframe and encapsulated in an optically transparent body structure. The optically transparent body structure is configured to include a prism-like feature to internally reflect light from the light source toward a target surface and an imaging lens feature to optically manipulate the light reflected from the target surface onto the imaging array of the sensor.

Abstract: An optical encoding apparatus for the detection of position and/or motion of a mechanical device includes a codescale, an encoder housing having one or more portions and a light-detecting sensor embedded within the encoder housing, wherein the light-detecting sensor is capable of sensing a pattern produced by the codescale superimposed on the light-detecting sensor, and wherein the light-detecting sensor includes a two-dimensional array of light detection elements having dimensions n-by-m where n and m are both integers greater than 4.

Abstract: An optical navigation device, such an optical mouse, includes a housing, an illumination system, a tracking engine, and multiple height-specific imaging systems located within the housing. The height-specific imaging systems generate image information in response to reflected light from a navigation surface and each one the height-specific imaging systems is positioned to detect the largest portion of reflected light at a different separation distance between the housing and the navigation surface. An integrated circuit (IC) device for optical navigation includes an aperture plate having height-specific apertures and height-specific navigation sensor arrays aligned in one-to-one correspondence with the height-specific apertures and configured to generate image information in response to light that passes through the corresponding height-specific apertures. An optical element for use in an optical navigation system includes an illumination source lens and multiple height-specific focal lenses.

Abstract: A vertical light source package uses leadframes with leads that extend in the same predefined direction. The leadframes are at least partially positioned in a structural body of the vertical light source package. The vertical light source package includes a light emitting device, such as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, that is situated on one of the leadframes and electrically connected to the other leadframe.

Abstract: A pointing device and method for using the same to measure the motion of that pointing device over a surface is disclosed. The pointing device includes an illumination system, an imaging system, and a controller. The illumination system generates light in a plurality of wavelength bands and illuminates a surface below the pointing device with light from one of the wavelength bands. The imaging system records images of the illuminated surface. The controller selects the wavelength band used to illuminate the surface, compares first and second images recorded by the imaging system at different times when the surface is illuminated with that wavelength band, and determines a displacement indicative of the direction and distance the positioning device moved between the two different times.

Abstract: A control circuit having a drive circuit and a controller adapted for use in optical mice is disclosed. The drive circuit is connected between first and second ports and passes a current between those ports having an amplitude determined by a control signal that is generated by the controller. The first port is connected to an illumination device and the second port is connected to a power rail. The control circuit also includes a potential measuring circuit that generates a signal indicative of a drive circuit potential between the first and second ports. The controller records the drive circuit potential for a predetermined current when the first port is connected to an illumination device. The controller sets the control signal based on the recorded drive circuit potential. The control circuit can record the drive circuit potential when the controller is powered.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer pointing device is provided with a navigation module, an electronic control system, and a motion-driven electromagnetic induction module. The electronic control system serves to activate and deactivate the navigation module. At times, the control system enters a sleep mode and deactivates the navigation module. In response to movement of the computer pointing device, the motion-driven electromagnetic induction module generates an output signal that wakes the control system and activates the navigation module. In another embodiment, a computer pointing device is provided with a housing, a battery, and a motion-driven electromagnetic induction module. The electromagnetic induction module is coupled to the battery, is enclosed within the housing, and is unconnected to any externally manipulable portion of the computer pointing device. Movement of the computer pointing device causes the electromagnetic induction module to charge the battery.