Imaging lens with integral light source holder

An imaging lens unit for use in conjunction with an optical sensor, comprising:

• a body portion;
• an imaging lens formed as an integral part of the body portion;
• and
• a light source support fixture formed as an integral part of the body portion, and wherein the support fixture
• is configured to support a light source in a desired spatial relationship with respect to the imaging lens,
• has an opening for insertion of the light source into the support fixture along an installation axis,
• is configured to prevent removal of the light source along substantially all other axes,
• is substantially columnar in shape,
• has a cavity formed therein, and
• further comprises a plurality of locating ridges disposed about the periphery of the cavity configured to position the light source into a predetermined position.

An imaging lens unit for use in conjunction with an optical sensor, comprising:

• a body portion;
• an imaging lens formed as an integral part of the body portion;
• and
• a light source support fixture formed as an integral part of the body portion, and wherein the support fixture
• is configured to support a light source in a desired spatial relationship with respect to the imaging lens,
• has an opening for insertion of the light source into the support fixture along an installation axis,
• is configured to prevent removal of the light source along substantially all other axes,
• is substantially columnar in shape,
• has a cavity formed therein, and
• has a lengthwise opening along a substantial part of the support fixture length, the lengthwise opening being sized to prevent passage of the light source therethrough.

An imaging lens unit for use in conjunction with an optical sensor, comprising:

• a body portion;
• an imaging lens formed as an integral part of the body portion;
• at least one integral locating extension for positioning the imaging lens with respect to an image sensor;
• and
• a light source support fixture formed as an integral part of the body portion, and wherein the support fixture
• is configured to support a light source in a desired spatial relationship with respect to the imaging lens,
• has an opening for insertion of the light source into the support fixture along an installation axis, and
• is configured to prevent removal of the light source along substantially all other axes.

An imaging lens unit for use in conjunction with an optical sensor, comprising:

• a body portion;
• an imaging lens formed as an integral part of the body portion;
• an integral light guide for directing light from the light source to a reflecting position, the reflecting position being situated such that a reflecting surface in the reflecting position will reflect the directed light into the imaging lens;
• and
• a light source support fixture formed as an integral part of the body portion, and wherein the support fixture
• is configured to support a light source in a desired spatial relationship with respect to the imaging lens,
• has an opening for insertion of the light source into the support fixture along an installation axis, and
• is configured to prevent removal of the light source along substantially all other axes.

An imaging lens unit for use in conjunction with an optical sensor, comprising:

• a body portion;
• an imaging lens formed as an integral part of the body portion, the imaging lens having an optical axis;
• and
• a light source support fixture formed as an integral part of the body portion, and wherein the support fixture
• is configured to support a light source in a desired spatial relationship with respect to the imaging lens,
• has an opening for insertion of the light source into the support fixture along an installation axis, the installation axis being at an angle to the optical axis, said angle being approximately 60°, and
• is configured to prevent removal of the light source along substantially all other axes.

An imaging lens unit for use in conjunction with an optical sensor, comprising:

• a body portion;
• an imaging lens formed as an integral part of the body portion;
• and
• a light source support formed as an integral part of the body portion, and wherein the light source support is
• configured to receive the light source,
• configured to support, without additional cooperating structure, a light source in a desired orientation to the imaging lens,
• laterally displaced from the imaging lens, and
• is configured to retain, without additional cooperating structure, the light source in the desired orientation to the imaging lens.

A computer mouse, comprising:

• a housing having
• a housing base, the housing base having a lower surface configured for contact with and to move across a supporting surface, the lower surface having an imaging region through which light may be transmitted and received, and
• an upper housing coupled to the housing base;
• a light source contained within the housing;
• an image sensor contained within the housing and positioned to receive light from the light source after the light has emanated from and then been reflected back through the imaging region;
• and
• an imaging lens unit having
• a body portion,
• an imaging lens formed as an integral part of the body portion and positioned in an optical path between the image sensor and the imaging region, and
• a light source support formed as an integral part of the body portion, wherein the light source support is
• configured to receive the light source,
• configured to support, without additional cooperating structure, a light source in a desired orientation to the imaging lens,
• laterally displaced from the imaging lens, and
• configured to retain, without additional cooperating structure, the light source in the desired orientation to the imaging lens.