Dual-mode optical input device
AssigneeLogitech Europe S.A.
InventorsFrançois Morier, Olivier Theytaz
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Abstract
In certain embodiments, an input device includes a housing, a processor disposed in the housing, and an image sensor to track a movement of the input device with respect to an underlying surface. The image sensor includes a pixel array and operates in two modes of operation including a first mode of operation where the processor causes the image sensor to utilize a first plurality of pixels in the pixel array when tracking the movement of the input device or a second mode of operation where the processor causes the image sensor to utilize a second plurality of pixels in the pixel array when tracking the movement of the input device, where the second plurality of pixels has fewer pixels than the first plurality of pixels.
Claims20
An input device comprising:
- a housing;
- an imaging sensor coupled with the housing, the imaging sensor including an optical pixel array and the imaging sensor configured to detect one or more images of an underlying surface to the input device;
- one or more processors coupled to the housing and the imaging sensor, the one or more processors configured to track, based on the one or more images, movement of the input device with respect to the underlying surface;
- a power storage component coupled to the housing, wherein the imaging sensor and the one or more processors are powered via the power storage component;
- wherein the input device is configured to selectively operate in one of two modes of operation including:
- a first mode of operation wherein a first plurality of pixels in the optical pixel array are used when tracking the movement of the input device with respect to the underlying surface;
- and
- a second mode of operation wherein a second plurality of pixels in the optical pixel array are used when tracking the movement of the input device with respect to the underlying surface,
- wherein the second plurality of pixels has fewer pixels used than the first plurality of pixels for the tracking of the movement of the input device;
- and
- wherein the second mode of operation is characterized in that less power is consumed by the input device from the power storage component as compared to the first mode of operation for the tracking of the movement of the input device.
A method for operating an input device, the method comprising:
- controlling, by one or more processors of the input device, an imaging sensor disposed in the input device to track a movement of the input device with respect to an underlying surface, the imaging sensor including an optical pixel array, wherein the one or more processors and the imaging sensor are powered by a power storage component of the input device;
- receiving, at the one or more processors, an input signal to place the input device in one of a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation;
- in response to the input signal indicating to place the input device in the first mode of operation, using a first plurality of pixels in the optical pixel array when tracking the movement of the input device with respect to the underlying surface;
- in response to the input signal indicating to place the input device in the second mode of operation, using a second plurality of pixels in the optical pixel array when tracking the movement of the input device with respect to the underlying surface;
- wherein the second plurality of pixels has fewer pixels than the first plurality of pixels;
- and
- wherein the second mode of operation is characterized in that less power is consumed by the input device from the power storage component as compared to the first mode of operation for the tracking of the movement of the input device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.