Optical jog wheel with spiral coding element
View Patent ↗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.
1. A user navigational apparatus comprising:
a rotary dial;
means for generating a light signal incident on a coded track;
means for generating a spiral-shaped light image in response to the light signal incident on the coded track;
means for illuminating an annular region adjacent to the rotary dial, wherein the annular region and the rotary dial have a common central reference point, and the annular region is disposed within the rotary dial; and
means for detecting motion of the coded track, wherein the coded track is configured to move in response to a first user movement of the rotary dial.
2. The user navigational apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
means for implementing a user navigational operation on a controlled device in response to the first user movement of the rotary dial; and
means for activating a switch in response to a second user movement of the rotary dial.
3. The user navigational apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for encapsulating at least a portion of an encoder mounted in conjunction with the coded track.
4. The user navigational apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for detecting the spiral-shaped light image.
5. The user navigational apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for activating an independent button disposed within a center of the rotary dial.
6. The user navigational apparatus of claim 5 wherein the annular region is disposed between the independent button and the rotary dial.
7. A user navigational apparatus comprising:
a rotary dial;
means for generating a light signal incident on a coded track;
means for generating a spiral-shaped light image in response to the light signal incident on the coded track;
means for activating an independent button disposed within a center of the rotary dial;
means for illuminating an annular region disposed within the rotary dial; and
means for detecting motion of the coded track, wherein the coded track is configured to move in response to a first user movement of the rotary dial.
8. The user navigational apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:
means for implementing a user navigational operation on a controlled device in response to the first user movement of the rotary dial; and
means for activating a switch in response to a second user movement of the rotary dial.
9. The user navigational apparatus of claim 7 further comprising means for encapsulating at least a portion of an encoder mounted in conjunction with the coded track.
10. The user navigational apparatus of claim 7 further comprising means for detecting the spiral-shaped light image.