Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a dial, a coding element, and an encoder. The coding element is coupled to a dial. The coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections, each having a substantially oblique leading edge relative to a direction of movement of the coding element. The encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector detects a reflected light signal which corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal.

Abstract: An encoder that includes a code strip and an emitter-detector module is disclosed. The code strip has alternating reflective and opaque stripes and an imaging element in contact with a surface of the code strip. The optical element directs light incident thereon to the code strip. The emitter-detector module includes a light source that generates light and directs a portion of the generated light to the imaging element. The emitter-detector module also includes a photodetector that generates a signal representing an intensity of light received by the photodetector. The imaging element images light reflected from the code strip onto the photodetector. The imaging element can include a lens having a planar surface in contact with the surface of the code strip. The imaging element can be structured such that the imaging element collimates light from the light source such that collimated light is incident on one of the reflective stripes.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a media type of a print medium. Embodiments of the apparatus include an emitter, a polarization filter, and a detector. The emitter is configured to emit light toward a surface of the print medium. The polarization filter is configured to filter polarized light reflected from the surface of the medium. The detector is coupled to the polarization filter and configured to detect the filtered light. The detector is also configured to generate an electrical signal representative of the detected light.

Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a code wheel and an encoder. The code wheel is coupled to a dial. The code wheel includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections. The optical reflective encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the code wheel. The detector detects a reflected light signal. The reflected light signal corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal. Embodiments of this type of user navigational apparatus achieve reduced thickness compared to conventional implementations of jog wheels.

Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a dial, a coding element, and an encoder. The coding element is coupled to a dial. The coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections, each having a substantially oblique leading edge relative to a direction of movement of the coding element. The encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector detects a reflected light signal which corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal.

Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a dial, a coding element, and an encoder. The coding element is coupled to a dial. The coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections, each having a substantially oblique leading edge relative to a direction of movement of the coding element. The encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector detects a reflected light signal which corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal.

Abstract: An optical encoder. The encoder includes a coding element, an emitter, and a detector. The coding element has a track with a track pattern. The track pattern includes a plurality of optically distinguishable sections, which include a plurality of position sections and an index section. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector includes a combined position and index photodetector array. The combined position and index photodetector array includes a plurality of position photodetectors and an index photodetector. Embodiments of this type of optical encoder implement position and index sections in a single track on the coding element.

Abstract: An optical encoder. The encoder includes a coding element, an emitter, and a detector. The coding element has a track with a track pattern. The track pattern includes a plurality of optically distinguishable sections, which include a plurality of position sections and an index section. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector includes a combined position and index photodetector array. The combined position and index photodetector array includes a plurality of position photodetectors and an index photodetector. Embodiments of this type of optical encoder implement position and index sections in a single track on the coding element.

Abstract: A directional input device with a light directing shaft that avoids wear and tear caused by physical contact between a shaft and a sensor surface. A directional input device according to the present teachings includes a light emitter and a shaft having a surface that reflects light from the light emitter. A directional input device according to the present teachings further includes a set of light sensing elements that are positioned to detect a position of the shaft by sensing light reflected from the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a media type of a print medium. Embodiments of the apparatus include an emitter, a polarization filter, and a detector. The emitter is configured to emit light toward a surface of the print medium. The polarization filter is configured to filter polarized light reflected from the surface of the medium. The detector is coupled to the polarization filter and configured to detect the filtered light. The detector is also configured to generate an electrical signal representative of the detected light.

Abstract: An optical encoder. The encoder includes a coding element, an emitter, and a detector. The coding element has a track with a track pattern. The track pattern includes a plurality of optically distinguishable sections, which include a plurality of position sections and an index section. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector includes a combined position and index photodetector array. The combined position and index photodetector array includes a plurality of position photodetectors and an index photodetector. Embodiments of this type of optical encoder implement position and index sections in a single track on the coding element.

Abstract: An optical encoder. The encoder includes a coding element, an emitter, and a detector. The coding element has a track with a track pattern. The track pattern includes a plurality of optically distinguishable sections, which include a plurality of position sections and an index section. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector includes a combined position and index photodetector array. The combined position and index photodetector array includes a plurality of position photodetectors and an index photodetector. Embodiments of this type of optical encoder implement position and index sections in a single track on the coding element.

Abstract: An optical encoder. The encoder includes a coding element, an emitter, and a detector. The coding element has a track with a track pattern. The track pattern includes a plurality of optically distinguishable sections, which include a plurality of position sections and an index section. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector includes a combined position and index photodetector array. The combined position and index photodetector array includes a plurality of position photodetectors and an index photodetector. Embodiments of this type of optical encoder implement position and index sections in a single track on the coding element.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes an optical encoder pattern of alternating light elements and dark elements, and an optical unit, including an optical emitter providing light to the encoder pattern, and an optical sensor including a photo-detector receiving the light from the optical encoder pattern and in response thereto outputting a sinusoidal signal indicating relative movement between the optical sensor and the encoder pattern. In one embodiment, the photo-detector has a diamond shape, a modified-diamond shape, or an hourglass shape. In another embodiment, at least one of the light elements and the dark elements of the optical encoder pattern has a diamond shape, a modified-diamond shape, or an hourglass shape.

Abstract: An optical encoder. A reflective optical encoder includes a reflective coding element, a plurality of emitters, and a detector. The reflective coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections. Each of the plurality of emitters is configured to generate corresponding light signals incident on the track of the coding element. The detector is configured to detect the corresponding light signals reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. In one embodiment, the detector includes a plurality of photosensors positioned in separate photosensor groupings, and each photosensor grouping corresponds to one of the plurality of emitters. Embodiments of the optical encoder are suitable for small form factor encoders and improve the ease encoder assembly.

Abstract: Optical encoders having one or more of a number of disclosed features are disclosed. The features of the optical encoder in accordance with the present invention include a symmetrical (for example, circular) emitter; baffle between the emitter and a detector; double-dome or single-dome encapsulant; multiple detector; and multiple (at least three) data channels.

Abstract: An optical encoder. The encoder includes a coding element, an emitter, and a detector. The coding element has a track with a track pattern. The track pattern includes a plurality of optically distinguishable sections, which include a plurality of position sections and an index section. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector includes a combined position and index photodetector array. The combined position and index photodetector array includes a plurality of position photodetectors and an index photodetector. Embodiments of this type of optical encoder implement position and index sections in a single track on the coding element.

Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a dial, a coding element, and an encoder. The coding element is coupled to a dial. The coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections, each having a substantially oblique leading edge relative to a direction of movement of the coding element. The encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector detects a reflected light signal which corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal.

Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a code wheel and an encoder. The code wheel is coupled to a dial. The code wheel includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections. The optical reflective encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the code wheel. The detector detects a reflected light signal. The reflected light signal corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal. Embodiments of this type of user navigational apparatus achieve reduced thickness compared to conventional implementations of jog wheels.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes an emitter, a first lens, a detector, a second lens, and a protrusion. The emitter emits light which is directed by the first lens to a code scale for reflection. The reflected light is directed by the second lens to the detector. The detector detects the reflected light from the code scale. The protrusion is between the first lens and the second lens. The protrusion defines at least one surface that refracts stray light from the emitter away from the detector. Accordingly, the stray light does not reach the detector; thus the detector can operate more effectively.