IP Library Granted Patent US 6,967,321
Granted Patent B2
US 6,967,321 · App. 10/286,252 · Granted Nov 22, 2005

Optical navigation sensor with integrated lens

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,967,321
App. No.
10/286,252
Granted
Nov 22, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical navigation sensor apparatus for an optical mouse includes an optical navigation sensor having an electronic chip, an aperture plate and an imaging lens integrated into a single package. The imaging lens includes a lens housing surrounding the aperture and providing a barrier to the entry of foreign matter into the aperture. In one form, the optical navigation sensor also includes a light emitting diode (LED) for illuminating a small area of a surface under the sensor and generating a reflected image that is detected by the electronic chip. In a sensor having an integral LED, an integral collimating lens is included for receiving light from the LED and focusing the light from the LED on the surface to be illuminated. The collimating lens is incorporated into a lens housing surrounding the LED and protecting the LED from exposure to foreign material.

Claims (14)

1. An optical navigation sensor apparatus, comprising:

an optical navigation sensor including:

a sensor housing;

a die attached to the sensor housing;

an aperture housing attached to the sensor housing, surrounding the die for blocking stray light from reaching the die, and having an aperture for receiving an image from an imaging lens and allowing passage of the image through the aperture the die;

the imaging lens integrated with a lens housing, the lens housing secured within the sensor housing, the imaging lens adapted to receive the image and focus the image on the die; and

wherein the sensor housing is a lead frame.

2. An optical navigation sensor apparatus, comprising:

an optical navigation sensor including:

a sensor housing;

a die attached to the sensor housing;

an aperture housing attached to the sensor housing, surrounding the die for blocking stray light from reaching the die, and having an aperture for receiving an image from an imaging lens and allowing passage of the image through the aperture the die;

the imaging lens integrated with a lens housing, the lens housing secured within the sensor housing, the imaging lens adapted to receive the image and focus the image on the die; and

wherein the sensor housing is an insert molded lead frame.

Assignments (8)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2019
From: PIXART IMAGING INC.
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 051431/0464 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 3, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 041710/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 29, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 039862/0129 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2016
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: PIXART IMAGING INC.
Reel/Frame 039788/0572 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NAME OF THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 017207 FRAME 0020. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 6, 2016
From: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 038633/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037808/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (RELEASES RF 032851-0001) Recorded Feb 2, 2016
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 037689/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 8, 2014
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032851/0001 →