Abstract: An image pickup module made of clear polymer includes an imaging surface, a first mirror, and a second mirror. An object is placed on the imaging surface for imaging. Incident light reflects off the imaging surface. The first of the two mirrors directs the reflected light toward the second mirror. The second mirror directs the directed light toward an image sensor. The two mirrors focus the reflected light on the imaging sensor which converts the focused light to electronic signals to be processed by a microcontroller. The use of the mirrors to direct the reflected light (embodying the image information) has the effect of having a relatively long focal length within a relatively short image pickup module design thereby allowing the pickup module to be manufactured having reduced height compared to prior art pickup modules. The reduced height allows for manufacture of smaller, more convenient image pickup devices such as mobile telephone, security scanners, and computer mouse.

Abstract: An optical port with directional control. The port includes a transmitter, receiver, and first actuator. The transmitter generates an outgoing light signal that propagates in a transmission direction in response to an outgoing electrical signal. The receiver receives an incoming light signal and generating an incoming electrical signal therefrom, the receiver having a reception direction aligned with the transmission direction. The first actuator alters the transmission direction of the outgoing light signal in response to a first control signal. In one embodiment, the first actuator determines the direction of the outgoing light signal in a first plane, and a second actuator controls the direction of the outgoing light signal by an amount determined by a second control signal. The second actuator controls the direction of the outgoing light signal in a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane.

Abstract: A camera module includes a gradient index lens on a spacer plate attached over an array of pixel sensors and associated micro lenses. The spacer plate and gradient index lens can be formed at the wafer level during the manufacture of multiple camera modules. A process for manufacturing the camera modules thus provides tolerances and yields provided by wafer processing techniques rather than mechanical assembly.

Abstract: An optical mouse images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer, allowing the mouse to be physically relocated on the work surface without disturbing the position on the screen of the pointer. This may be needed if the operator runs out of room to physically move the mouse further, but the screen pointer still needs to go further. The hold feature may be implemented with an actual button, a separate proximity detector or by detecting the presence of a characteristic condition in the digitized data, such as loss of correlation or velocity in excess of a selected limit.

Abstract: An optical mouse images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer, allowing the mouse to be physically relocated on the work surface without disturbing the position on the screen of the pointer. This may be needed if the operator runs out of room to physically move the mouse further, but the screen pointer still needs to go further. The hold feature may be implemented with an actual button, a separate proximity detector or by detecting the presence of a characteristic condition in the digitized data, such as loss of correlation or velocity in excess of a selected limit.

Abstract: An optical mouse images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer, allowing the mouse to be physically relocated on the work surface without disturbing the position on the screen ofthe pointer. This may be needed if the operator runs out of room to physically move the mouse further, but the screen pointer still needs to go further. The hold feature may be implemented with an actual button, a separate proximity detector or by detecting the presence of a characteristic condition in the digitized data, such as loss of correlation or velocity in excess of a selected limit.

Abstract: An optical mouse images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer, allowing the mouse to be physically relocated on the work surface without disturbing the position on the screen of the pointer. This may be needed if the operator runs out of room to physically move the mouse further, but the screen pointer still needs to go further. The hold feature may be implemented with an actual button, a separate proximity detector or by detecting the presence of a characteristic condition in the digitized data, such as loss of correlation or velocity in excess of a selected limit.