Abstract: A fingerprint detecting apparatus includes a plurality of fingerprint sensor devices. Each of the plurality of fingerprint sensor devices includes a first conductive layer in which a sensing electrode configured to receive a response signal from a subject according to application of a driving voltage is formed, a shield layer formed under the first conductive layer, and to which a ground potential is applied, a second conductive layer formed under the shield layer, a third conductive layer formed in a part under the second conductive layer, a gain controller formed between the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer, and configured to selectively vary again, and an amplifier configured to generate an output signal formed by amplifying the response signal as much as the gain. The response signal and the output signal are received and output independently from an adjacent fingerprint sensor device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an input device used as an interface for an electronic device, and an electronic device including the same. The input device includes an interface unit mounted on a main body of an electronic device, and a bottom pad having a predetermined thickness and stacked on a bottom of the interface unit. The bottom pad is disposed in the interface unit to adjust the thickness of the input device in accordance with variation in the size of the electronic device. Therefore, the interface unit can be applied to electronic devices having various sizes by changing the bottom pad.

Abstract: A method of detecting a click event for sensing a motion of a finger corresponding to a click on a sensing area of an optical pointing device, the method including: obtaining an image of the finger from the sensing area; sensing a change in the image of the finger; analyzing a horizontal movement of the finger based on the change in the image of the finger; and generating a click signal when the horizontal movement of the finger is within a predetermined range is provided.

Abstract: An optical pointing device including a Printed Circuit Board (PCB); an infrared Light Emitting Diode (LED) provided on a side of the PCB; a cover plate for detecting motion of a subject, which is placed in an upper portion of the optical pointing device; an image forming system lens placed below the cover plate and configured to condense a light reflected from the subject; an optical image sensor for receiving a reflected image of the subject and detecting motion of the subject; and an optical coating unit placed on the optical image sensor. The cover plate and the optical coating unit are made of a material capable of passing a wavelength of infrared rays which cannot be perceived by a user's eye. A first cut off wavelength of the cover plate is shorter than a second cut off wavelength of the optical coating unit.

Abstract: By a control method of a screen of a terminal apparatus with a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a pressing operation of a user's finger for selecting a predetermined function displayed on a screen is sensed. At this time, it is determined whether the pressing operation is temporary or is continued for a predetermined time. When the pressing operation is temporary, the pressing operation is determined as an easy click operation, such that a function linked to a region where a cursor or a pointer is positioned is implemented on the screen. Further, when the pressing operation is continued for the predetermined time, the previously set control function is implemented on the screen by determining the pressing operation as the easy press operation.

Abstract: An optical pointing device and a portable electronic device having the same, in which external noise light and/or noise light due to diffused reflection or the like is prevented from being introduced into an optical sensor enhancing precision of operation and providing a housing with improved structure. The device includes an infrared source; a cover having a cover plate transmitting infrared rays from the IR source for reaching a subject out of the cover plate and a cover frame that supports the cover plate; an optical unit in the cover and on which the infrared ray reflected from the subject is incident; and an optical sensor sensing the infrared ray incident thereon from the optical unit; the cover plate has a base coupled to the cover frame, and an IR band-pass filter layer provided on one side of the base.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical pointing device as a user interface for electronic devices such as communication terminals and the like. The optical pointing device includes a light receiving part, an optical unit transferring light to the light receiving part and including a reflection part disposed in an optical path, a frame body integrally formed with the reflection part to support the reflection part, a cover covering the frame body and having an interface surface, and a light source illuminating the cover. The optical pointing device reduces the number of components and permits convenient and easy assembly, thereby significantly improving productivity while reducing assembly defect.

Abstract: A method of detecting a click event for sensing a motion of a finger corresponding to a click on a sensing area of an optical pointing device, the method including: obtaining an image of the finger from the sensing area; sensing a change in the image of the finger; analyzing a horizontal movement of the finger based on the change in the image of the finger; and generating a click signal when the horizontal movement of the finger is within a predetermined range is provided.

Abstract: An optical joystick and portable electronic device having the same are disclosed, by which malfunctions of the optical joystick due to sunlight or external illumination light are prevented or minimized. Therefore, precision of the optical joystick can be enhanced. The optical joystick according to the present invention includes an infrared light source, a cover part having a contacting surface for a contact by a subject, a light-receiving part detecting the infrared ray, and an optical member provided on an light path of the infrared ray traveling from the cover part toward the light-receiving part, wherein the cover part comprises a cover base and an infrared ray pass layer blocking out external noisy light on a predetermined band and passing substantially a wavelength band of infrared rays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultra thin optical pointing device, and a personal portable device having the optical pointing device. The optical pointing device includes a PCB (508). An infrared LED (501) is provided on a side of the top surface of the PCB. A cover plate (503) detects motion of a finger, which is a subject. An illumination system (502) transmits light from the infrared LED to the cover plate. An image forming system lens (505) is placed below the cover plate to condense reflected light. An optical image sensor (507) receives a reflected image of the subject and detects motion of the subject. A body tube (509) is provided on a side portion over the PCB. The illumination system, the cover plate and the image forming system lens are made of an optical plastic material capable of passing only a wavelength band of infrared rays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical pointing device for mobile terminals, which can improve assembly efficiency and stability. An optical pointing device according to the present invention includes a holder having an accommodation opening therein. Light emitting means is installed in the accommodation opening of the holder. A condensing element includes a pair of prisms installed in the accommodation opening of the holder and integrated into a single structure so as to condense light emitted from the light emitting means, and a condensing lens disposed between the paired prisms. An image sensor captures light provided through the condensing element and calculates the captured light as displacement values. The condensing element includes a lens holder coupled to the condensing lens so as to maintain stable installation of the condensing lens between the paired prisms.

Abstract: An optical joystick includes a first waveguide including a first reflecting surface located below a reading area for sensing the movement of an object and a first plano-convex lens portion condensing light reflected from the first reflecting surface, a second waveguide including a second plano-convex lens portion facing the first plano-convex lens portion and a second reflecting surface for reflecting light refracted at the second plano-convex lens portion, and an image sensor located below the second reflecting surface. The first reflecting surface and the first plano-convex lens portion form a single body, and the second plano-convex lens portion and the second reflecting surface also form a single body. The reflecting surface and the lens portion are in a single body, thereby notably reducing the thickness of the optical joystick. The first and second waveguides are facing each other, thereby improving refraction and condensing light.

Abstract: An optical coupling device includes a ferrule that holds an optical fiber; a ball lens that focuses light from the optical fiber upon a point; and a housing that aligns the ferrule and the ball lens. A method for manufacturing such an optical coupling device includes the steps of fabricating a ferrule to support and hold a single-core optical fiber; inserting and fitting the single-core optical fiber into the center of the ferrule; grinding the face of the ferrule holding the single-core optical fiber; fabricating a ball lens whose surface is coated with an anti-reflection film to focus light from the single-core optical fiber on a point; fabricating an integral housing on the basis of a calculation of an offset distance for aligning the ferrule and the ball lens; fixing the ferrule to the inside of the housing; and pushing the ball lens into the housing with a predetermined pressure to fix the ball lens to the inside of the housing.