Abstract: An input device may include an image sensor having an imaging surface comprising that includes an array of pixels, and an optical waveguide layer carried by the imaging surface and having an exposed user surface and a first refractive index associated therewith. The input device may also include a substrate between the optical waveguide layer and the image sensor and having a second refractive index associated therewith that is lower than first refractive index. A collimation layer may be between the image sensor and the substrate. A light source may be configured to transmit light into the optical waveguide so that the light therein undergoes a total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may be being adjacent the imaging surface so that an object brought into contact with the exposed user surface disturbs the total internal reflection results resulting in an image pattern on the imaging surface.

Abstract: An input device may include an image sensor having an imaging surface comprising that includes an array of pixels, and an optical waveguide layer carried by the imaging surface and having an exposed user surface and a first refractive index associated therewith. The input device may also include a substrate between the optical waveguide layer and the image sensor and having a second refractive index associated therewith that is lower than first refractive index. A collimation layer may be between the image sensor and the substrate. A light source may be configured to transmit light into the optical waveguide so that the light therein undergoes a total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may be being adjacent the imaging surface so that an object brought into contact with the exposed user surface disturbs the total internal reflection results resulting in an image pattern on the imaging surface.

Abstract: An input device may include an image sensor having an imaging surface that includes an array of pixels, and an optical waveguide layer carried by the imaging surface and having an exposed user surface and a first refractive index associated therewith. The input device may also include a substrate between the optical waveguide layer and the image sensor and having a second refractive index associated therewith that is lower than first refractive index. A collimation layer may be between the image sensor and the substrate. A light source may be configured to transmit light into the optical waveguide so that the light therein undergoes a total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may be adjacent the imaging surface so that an object brought into contact with the exposed user surface disturbs the total internal reflection resulting in an image pattern on the imaging surface.

Abstract: An optical navigation device may include an image sensor with an imaging surface, a laser, and an optical waveguide layer having an exposed user surface and a total internal reflection (TIR) surface on the underside of the exposed user surface. The waveguide layer, the laser, and the image sensor may be together arranged to direct radiation emitted by the laser onto the imaging surface at least partly by total internal reflection by the TIR surface.

Abstract: An imaging device may have an imaging surface and a sensor. The imaging surface may be illuminated by a first source and reflect at least some of the illumination to the sensor to detect an image. The imaging device may have a predetermined width and an optical path passing therethrough. The imaging device may be illuminated by a second source, and the illumination of the second source may be directed to one or more predetermined regions on or near the imaging surface to produce an optical effect associated with the imaging surface.

Abstract: An assembly is adapted for being employed in an optical navigation device, such as that used on a computer or mobile communications device. The assembly includes a housing device and an optical device, wherein the housing device includes a receiving section for receiving the optical device. The receiving section has a first and a second opening. The housing device has first and second vertical registration features for aligning the optical device with the housing device. The first and second vertical registration features are spatially associated with the first and second opening respectively.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for a computer application includes a radiation source capable of producing a beam of radiation, a sensor for receiving an image, and an optical element for identifying movement of the feature to thereby enable a computer action to be carried out. The optical element is formed from a single piece and includes at least one frustrated total internal reflection (F-TIR) surface capable of affecting frustrated total internal reflection of the beam of radiation in the presence of the feature to thereby generate the image.

Abstract: The imaging device has an imaging surface and a sensor, wherein the imaging surface is illuminated and reflects at least some of the illumination to the sensor to detect an image. The imaging device has a width and an optical path passing therethrough, wherein the optical path exhibits distortion as a result of the width of the device and the nature of the optical path. The imaging device includes an optical element which in use compensates for the distortion by generating a magnification profile across a tangential plane of the device at the sensor.

Abstract: An optical navigation device may include an image sensor with an imaging surface, a laser, and an optical waveguide layer having an exposed user surface and a total internal reflection (TIR) surface on the underside of the exposed user surface. The waveguide layer, the laser, and the image sensor may be together arranged to direct radiation emitted by the laser onto the imaging surface at least partly by total internal reflection by the TIR surface.

Abstract: An optical navigation device, such as that used on a computer or mobile communications device, includes a radiation source capable of producing a beam of radiation. A sensor receives an image. An optical element identifies movement of an elastic object on a first surface to thereby enable a control action to be carried out. The device further determines the relative pressure on a first surface by an elastic object based upon the value of an optical parameter, such as the average radiation intensity of the image received at the sensor. The device may be arranged to operate as a push button or a linear pressure sensor.

Abstract: An imaging device may have an imaging surface and a sensor. The imaging surface may be illuminated by a first source and reflect at least some of the illumination to the sensor to detect an image. The imaging device may have a predetermined width and an optical path passing therethrough. The imaging device may be illuminated by a second source, and the illumination of the second source may be directed to one or more predetermined regions on or near the imaging surface to produce an optical effect associated with the imaging surface.

Abstract: An assembly is adapted for being employed in an optical navigation device, such as that used on a computer or mobile communications device. The assembly includes a housing device and an optical device, wherein the housing device includes a receiving section for receiving the optical device. The receiving section has a first and a second opening. The housing device has first and second vertical registration features for aligning the optical device with the housing device. The first and second vertical registration features are spatially associated with the first and second opening respectively.

Abstract: The imaging device has an imaging surface and a sensor, wherein the imaging surface is illuminated and reflects at least some of the illumination to the sensor to detect an image. The imaging device has a width and an optical path passing therethrough, wherein the optical path exhibits distortion as a result of the width of the device and the nature of the optical path. The imaging device includes an optical element which in use compensates for the distortion by generating a magnification profile across a tangential plane of the device at the sensor.

Abstract: An imaging device may have illumination paths directed to an imaging area to thereby illuminate the whole of the imaging surface. The imaging area may be adapted to generate frustrated total internal reflection of the illumination from the imaging surface, in the presence of an element in contact with some or all of the imaging surface.

Abstract: An input device may include an image sensor having an imaging surface comprising an array of pixels, and an optical waveguide layer carried by the imaging surface and having an exposed user surface and a first refractive index associated therewith. The input device may also include a substrate between the optical waveguide layer and the image sensor and having a second refractive index associated therewith that is lower than first refractive index. A collimation layer may be between the image sensor and the substrate. A light source may be configured to transmit light into the optical waveguide so that the light therein undergoes a total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may be being adjacent the imaging surface so that an object brought into contact with the exposed user surface disturbs the total internal reflection results in an image pattern on the imaging surface.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for a computer application includes a radiation source capable of producing a beam of radiation, a sensor for receiving an image, and an optical element for identifying movement of the feature to thereby enable a computer action to be carried out. The optical element is formed from a single piece and includes at least one frustrated total internal reflection (F-TIR) surface capable of affecting frustrated total internal reflection of the beam of radiation in the presence of the feature to thereby generate the image.