# US 7,609,250 B2 · Optical module and input apparatus using the same

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- Number: US 7,609,250 B2
- Document ID: US7609250B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/290,340
- Filed: 2005-11-30
- Published: 2006-06-01
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2004-11-30
- Assignees: Atlab Inc.
- Inventors: Oan-Kyu Choi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609250B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/0317: {in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

Provided are an optical module and an input apparatus having the same. The input apparatus includes the optical module having a circuit board provided with a light source and a sensor installed therein, a lens disposed at one side of the circuit board, and a support bracket disposed at the other side of the circuit board; and a main body having a through-hole at its one side and into which the lens of the optical module is inserted. Therefore, it is possible to uniformly maintain the height of the sensor for receiving light based on the thickness of the lens to maintain a certain depth of focus.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optical module comprising:
a circuit board in which a light source for radiating light and exposing an object and a sensor for receiving a reflected light from the object and calculating movement of the object by comparing the reflected light in time sequence are installed;
a lens disposed at one side of the circuit board to image the light radiated from the light source and reflected by a subject and then to transmit the imaged light to the sensor;
a support bracket disposed at the other side of the circuit board; and
a spring installed between the circuit board and the support bracket and elastically pressing the lens such that a lower surface of the lens is in direct contact with the object.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the light source and the sensor are installed between the circuit board and the support bracket.

### Claim 3

An optical mouse comprising:
a base plate having a through-hole formed at its one side;
an optical module having a circuit board in which a light source for radiating light and a sensor for receiving the light are installed, a lens disposed at one side of the circuit board to image the light radiated from the light source and reflected by an object and then transmit the imaged light to the sensor, and inserted into the through-hole, and a support bracket disposed at the other side of the circuit board; and
a spring installed between the circuit board and the support bracket and elastically pressing the lens such that a lower surface of the lens is in direct contact with the object.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The optical mouse according to claim 3, wherein the light source and the sensor are installed between the circuit board and the support bracket.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The optical mouse according to claim 3, wherein the optical module further comprises a fixing means including a first hooking projection formed at the base plate, a second hooking projection formed at the support bracket and engaged with the first hooking projection, a fixing protrusion formed at the lens, and a fixing end formed at the base plate and contacting the fixing protrusion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The optical mouse according to claim 3, wherein an anti-slip foot is installed at a lower part of the lens to reduce friction of the lens inserted into the through-hole and contacting a bottom surface.