Granted Patent B2

US 8,237,684 · App. 12/239,192 · Granted Aug 7, 2012

Abstract

Claims (30)

1. A user input device comprising:

an optical element comprising a finger interface surface, wherein at least a portion of the optical element exhibits total internal reflection (TIR);

a light source in optical communication with the finger interface surface to provide light from the light source to the finger interface surface;

a sensor array configured to detect light reflected from the finger interface surface in response to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface, wherein the contact between the finger and the finger interface surface disrupts the TIR and causes light to be reflected out of the optical element towards the sensor array;

a lens located in an optical path between the finger interface surface and the sensor array;

wherein the finger interface surface, the lens, and the sensor array are linearly aligned; and

a navigation engine configured to generate lateral movement information, which is indicative of lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor array, in response to the detected light;

wherein the finger interface surface of the optical element comprises a major surface with a substantially planar portion and a finger contact portion which is at least partially out-of-plane with the substantially planar portion;

wherein the finger interface surface further comprises a transition portion between the substantially planar portion and the finger contact portion, wherein the transition portion is at an angle relative to the planar portion and the finger contact portion to allow light to exit the optical element and illuminate the finger at the finger contact portion of the optical element;

wherein the transition portion generates an intensity of reflected light to compensate for a light intensity pattern of the lens between the finger interface surface and the sensor array, wherein the transition portion causes the intensity of reflected light to be higher at the transition portion.

2. The user input device of claim 1 , wherein the finger contact portion defines a recess which extends below the substantially planar portion of the major surface of the finger interface surface.

3. The user input device of claim 2 , wherein the recess comprises a substantially cylindrical geometry.

4. The user input device of claim 3 , wherein the substantially cylindrical recess comprises a radius of approximately a field of view of the sensor array and a depth of approximately 100-150 μm.

5. The user input device of claim 1 , wherein the transition portion of the optical element is configured to optically match an intensity roll off pattern of the lens to produce a more uniform light intensity pattern at the sensor array.

6. The user input device of claim 5 , wherein the intensity roll off pattern of the lens causes the light intensity of light exiting the lens at the edges of the lens to decrease relative to the light intensity of light exiting the lens near the center of the lens.

7. The user input device of claim 6 , wherein the finger interface surface, the lens, and the sensor array are linearly aligned such that the finger interface surface is centered on an axis that runs through the center of the lens and the sensor array.

8. The portable electronic system of claim 7 , wherein the intensity roll off pattern of the lens causes the light intensity of light exiting the lens at the edges of the lens to decrease relative to the light intensity of light exiting the lens near the center of the lens.

9. The portable electronic system of claim 8 , wherein the finger interface surface, the lens, and the sensor array are linearly aligned such that the finger interface surface is centered on an axis that runs through the center of the lens and the sensor array.

10. A portable electronic system with optical finger navigation, the system comprising:

a display comprising a navigation indicator;

an optical element comprising a finger interface surface, wherein at least a portion of the optical element exhibits total internal reflection (TIR);

a light source in optical communication with the finger interface surface to provide light from the light source to the finger interface surface; and

a lens located in an optical path between the finger interface surface and a sensor array, wherein the sensor array is coupled to a microcontroller to generate a navigation output signal in response to detection of a light pattern at the sensor array;

wherein the finger interface surface, the lens, and the sensor array are linearly aligned; and

an optical finger navigation device configured to generate a navigation signal to move the navigation indicator based on a detected light pattern according to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface which disrupts the TIR of the optical element and causes light to be reflected out of the optical element towards the optical finger navigation device;

wherein the finger interface surface of the optical element comprises a major surface with a substantially planar portion and a finger contact portion which is at least partially out-of-plane with the substantially planar portion;

wherein the finger contact portion defines a recess which extends below the substantially planar portion of the major surface of the finger interface surface;

wherein the recess generates an intensity of reflected light to compensate for a light intensity pattern of the lens between the finger interface surface and the sensor array;

wherein the recess causes the intensity of reflected light to be higher at an edge of the recess.

11. The portable electronic system of claim 10 , wherein the recess of the optical element is configured to optically match an intensity roll off pattern of the lens to produce a more uniform light intensity pattern at the sensor array.

Assignments (6)