Abstract: A method for interpolating an encoded signal of encoders is disclosed. The first step may include generating four first stage signals having a first frequency that are 45 degrees out of phase. The four signals may then be multiplied to obtain a plurality of second stage signals that are 90 degrees out of phase having a second frequency two times the first frequency. The second stage signals may then go through further computation to obtain a plurality of third stage signals that are 45 degrees out of phase. The third stage signals may be further adapted for further multiplication to obtain higher levels of interpolation. Interpolators and optical encoders characterized by the interpolation capability are also disclosed.

Abstract: A controller and navigation system to implement beacon-based navigation and scene-based navigation is described. The navigation system may generate position data for the controller to compensate for a misalignment of the controller relative to the coordinate system of the navigation system. The navigation system may also distinguish between a beacon light source and a non-beacon light source.

Abstract: A user input device to generate an optical navigation signal based on an edge-lit pattern. The user input device includes an optical element, a light source, a sensor array, and a navigation engine. The optical element includes a finger interface surface. At least a portion of the optical element exhibits total internal reflection (TIR). The light source provides light to the finger interface surface. The sensor array detects light reflected from the finger interface surface in response to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface. The contact between the finger and the finger interface surface disrupts the TIR and causes light to be reflected out of the optical element towards the sensor array. The navigation engine generates lateral movement information, which is indicative of lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor array, in response to the detected light.

Abstract: A method for interpolating an encoded signal of encoders is disclosed. The first step may include generating four first stage signals having a first frequency that are 45 degrees out of phase. The four signals may then be multiplied to obtain a plurality of second stage signals that are 90 degrees out of phase having a second frequency two times the first frequency. The second stage signals may then go through further computation to obtain a plurality of third stage signals that are 45 degrees out of phase. The third stage signals may be further adapted for further multiplication to obtain higher levels of interpolation. Interpolators and optical encoders characterized by the interpolation capability are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated resolution switching surface detection system for an optical navigation device. The integrated resolution switching surface detection system includes a resolution switching engine, a surface detection engine, and a navigation engine. The resolution switching engine sets a resolution status based on a motion speed of a tracking surface relative to a navigation sensor, wherein the motion speed is a measure of motion data over time. The surface detection engine sets a surface detection status based on the resolution status that is set by the resolution engine. The navigation engine reads motion data from the navigation sensor and reports the motion data to a computing device according to the surface detection status that is set by the surface detection engine. Embodiments of the integrated resolution switching surface detection system maintain smooth and predictable cursor movement associated with a plurality of finger assert and finger de-assert events.

Abstract: An optical navigation device which uses optical interference to generate navigation images. The optical navigation device includes an optical element, a light source, a sensor array, a navigation engine, and a light shield. The optical element includes a finger interface surface. The light source includes a laser in optical communication with the finger interface surface to provide light to the finger interface surface. The sensor array detects light reflected from the finger interface surface in response to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface. The navigation engine is coupled to the sensor array. The navigation engine generates lateral movement information based on lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor array. The light shield is between the optical element and the sensor array. The light shield includes an aperture linearly aligned with the sensor array.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for operation in a surface navigation mode and a free space navigation mode is described. One embodiment of the optical navigation device includes a microcontroller, a surface navigation sensor, and a free space navigation sensor. The surface and free space navigation sensors are coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to process a movement of the optical navigation device. The surface navigation sensor is configured to generate a surface navigation signal in response to a surface navigation image. The free space navigation sensor is configured to generate a free space navigation signal in response to a free space navigation image. Embodiments of the optical navigation device facilitate an integrated optical solution to provide desktop navigation and scene navigation in a single optical navigation device.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for operation in a surface navigation mode and a free space navigation mode. The optical navigation device includes a microcontroller, a first navigation sensor, and a second navigation sensor. The first navigation sensor is coupled to the microcontroller, and the second navigation sensor is coupled to the first navigation sensor. The microcontroller processes a movement of the optical navigation device. The first navigation sensor generates a first navigation signal in a first navigation mode. The second navigation sensor generates a second navigation signal in a second navigation mode and sends the second navigation signal to the first navigation sensor. By implementing a navigation sensor to process signals from multiple navigation sensors, the cost and size of the optical navigation device can be controlled, and a small packaging design can be used.

Abstract: An optical navigation device which uses optical interference to generate navigation images. The optical navigation device includes an optical element, a light source, a sensor array, a navigation engine, and a light shield. The optical element includes a finger interface surface. The light source includes a laser in optical communication with the finger interface surface to provide light to the finger interface surface. The sensor array detects light reflected from the finger interface surface in response to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface. The navigation engine is coupled to the sensor array. The navigation engine generates lateral movement information based on lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor array. The light shield is between the optical element and the sensor array. The light shield includes an aperture linearly aligned with the sensor array.

Abstract: A user input device to generate an optical navigation signal based on an edge-lit pattern. The user input device includes an optical element, a light source, a sensor array, and a navigation engine. The optical element includes a finger interface surface. At least a portion of the optical element exhibits total internal reflection (TIR). The light source provides light to the finger interface surface. The sensor array detects light reflected from the finger interface surface in response to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface. The contact between the finger and the finger interface surface disrupts the TIR and causes light to be reflected out of the optical element towards the sensor array. The navigation engine generates lateral movement information, which is indicative of lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor array, in response to the detected light.

Abstract: An integrated resolution switching surface detection system for an optical navigation device. The integrated resolution switching surface detection system includes a resolution switching engine, a surface detection engine, and a navigation engine. The resolution switching engine sets a resolution status based on a motion speed of a tracking surface relative to a navigation sensor, wherein the motion speed is a measure of motion data over time. The surface detection engine sets a surface detection status based on the resolution status that is set by the resolution engine. The navigation engine reads motion data from the navigation sensor and reports the motion data to a computing device according to the surface detection status that is set by the surface detection engine. Embodiments of the integrated resolution switching surface detection system maintain smooth and predictable cursor movement associated with a plurality of finger assert and finger de-assert events.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for operation in a surface navigation mode and a free space navigation mode. The optical navigation device includes a microcontroller, a first navigation sensor, and a second navigation sensor. The first navigation sensor is coupled to the microcontroller, and the second navigation sensor is coupled to the first navigation sensor. The microcontroller processes a movement of the optical navigation device. The first navigation sensor generates a first navigation signal in a first navigation mode. The second navigation sensor generates a second navigation signal in a second navigation mode and sends the second navigation signal to the first navigation sensor. By implementing a navigation sensor to process signals from multiple navigation sensors, the cost and size of the optical navigation device can be controlled, and a small packaging design can be used.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for operation in a surface navigation mode and a free space navigation mode is described. One embodiment of the optical navigation device includes a microcontroller, a surface navigation sensor, and a free space navigation sensor. The surface and free space navigation sensors are coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to process a movement of the optical navigation device. The surface navigation sensor is configured to generate a surface navigation signal in response to a surface navigation image. The free space navigation sensor is configured to generate a free space navigation signal in response to a free space navigation image. Embodiments of the optical navigation device facilitate an integrated optical solution to provide desktop navigation and scene navigation in a single optical navigation device.

Abstract: A controller and navigation system to implement beacon-based navigation and scene-based navigation is described. The navigation system may generate position data for the controller to compensate for a misalignment of the controller relative to the coordinate system of the navigation system. The navigation system may also distinguish between a beacon light source and a non-beacon light source.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging a fingerprint operates in at least two different modes to provide both finger recognition and finger navigation applications. A light source illuminates a swipe interface having an elongated sensing area upon which a user swipes a finger. Light reflected from the finger is captured by an optical image sensor as image data representing a sequence of images resulting from motion of the digit over the sensing area of the swipe interface. The captured image data is output by the optical image sensor for processing of the data in one of the at least two different modes.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a fingerprint operates in a selected mode to provide a finger recognition and/or a finger navigation application. At least one light source illuminates at least one partition of a finger interface upon which a user places a finger (or thumb). Light reflected from the finger is captured by at least one image sensing region aligned to receive reflected light emitted from the illuminating light source(s). The illuminating light sources are selected depending on the selected mode of operation to illuminate only those partitions of the finger interface necessary for operation of the selected mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a fingerprint operates in a selected mode to provide a finger recognition and/or a finger navigation application. At least one light source illuminates at least one partition of a finger interface upon which a user places a finger (or thumb). Light reflected from the finger is captured by at least one image sensing region aligned to receive reflected light emitted from the illuminating light source(s). The illuminating light sources are selected depending on the selected mode of operation to illuminate only those partitions of the finger interface necessary for operation of the selected mode.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging a fingerprint operates in at least two different modes to provide both finger recognition and finger navigation applications. A light source illuminates a swipe interface having an elongated sensing area upon which a user swipes a finger. Light reflected from the finger is captured by an optical image sensor as image data representing a sequence of images resulting from motion of the digit over the sensing area of the swipe interface. The captured image data is output by the optical image sensor for processing of the data in one of the at least two different modes.

Abstract: In order to decrease a change in the offset caused by high-frequency noise, filter circuits for cutting high-frequency noise are inserted between the input terminals of a differential amplifier circuit and input nodes of a differential amplifier stage, the filter circuits having a cut-off frequency which is higher than a cut-off frequency of the differential amplifier circuit but is lower than a cut-off frequency of a parasitic filter circuit constituted by a parasitic capacity and a parasitic resistance in the input unit.

Abstract: In order to decrease a change in the offset caused by high-frequency noise, filter circuits for cutting high-frequency noise are inserted between the input terminals of a differential amplifier circuit and input nodes of a differential amplifier stage, the filter circuits having a cut-off frequency which is higher than a cut-off frequency of the differential amplifier circuit but is lower than a cut-off frequency of a parasitic filter circuit constituted by a parasitic capacity and a parasitic resistance in the input unit.