Compact optical navigation module and microlens array therefore
OwnerRene Helbing, Russell Gruhlkeinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical motion sensing module includes a microlens array comprising a plurality of lenslets, each lenslet forming a corresponding image of a surface; a light sensor comprising a plurality of pixels corresponding to the plurality of lenslets to detect the formed images of the surface; and a controller to use the detected images to determine a motion of the surface relative to the optical navigation module. The optical navigation module is usable in optical mice or in other applications in which relative motion is detected optically.
Claims20
An optical motion sensing module comprising:
- a microlens array comprising a plurality of lenslets, each lenslet forming a corresponding image of a surface;
- a light sensor comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel corresponding uniquely to one of the plurality of lenslets, to detect the formed images of the surface;
- and
- a controller to use the detected images to determine a motion of the surface relative to the optical navigation module.
A computer mouse for use in navigation on a surface, comprising:
- a base having a window through which light reflected from the surface passes;
- a body on top of the base plate forming an interior cavity with respect to the base;
- a microlens array disposed in the cavity and having a plurality of lenslets which receive the light from the window and form a corresponding number of images at varying offsets on a focal plane;
- a sensor disposed in the cavity and having a plurality of pixels disposed at the focal plane which detect the formed images;
- and
- a controller disposed in the cavity and which detects motion of the mouse relative to the surface according to the detected images of the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.