Optical mouse with barcode reading function
AssigneeAvago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
InventorsChiang Sun Cheah, Chin-heong Yeoh, Li Chong Tai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical computer mouse has a support structure that can be moved across a surface. An illumination source that illuminates a region of the surface is coupled to the support structure. An imaging system in the mouse includes an optical sensor array that receives light from the illuminated region of the work surface and an image processor that receives data from the optical sensor array. The optical computer mouse may be switched between a navigation mode of operation, in which the image processor detects motion of the optical computer mouse over the work surface, and a barcode reading mode of operation, in which the image processor senses a barcode as the optical computer mouse is moved across a barcode.
Claims17
An optical computer mouse comprising:
- a support structure operable to move across a work surface;
- an illumination source, coupled to the support structure, operable to illuminate a region of the work surface;
- an imaging system, coupled to the support structure comprising:
- an optical sensor array operable to sense light from the illuminated region of the work surface;
- and
- an image processor operable to receive signals from the optical sensor array;
- and
- a switch operable to switch the optical computer mouse between a navigation mode of operation, in which the image processor is operable to detect motion of the optical computer mouse over the work surface, and a barcode reading mode of operation, in which the image processor is operable to sense a barcode pattern as the optical computer mouse is moved across a barcode, wherein the image processor of the optical computer mouse is operable to receive signals from only a sub-array of elements of the optical sensor array when the optical computer mouse is operated in the barcode reading mode.
A method of operation for an optical computer mouse having a barcode reading capability, the method comprising:
- if the optical computer mouse is in a navigation mode of operation,
- receiving a first plurality of signals from an array of optical sensing elements at a first frame rate;
- processing the first plurality of signals to estimate motion of the optical computer mouse over a surface to produce motion data;
- and
- outputting the motion data;
- and
- if the optical computer mouse is in a barcode reading mode of operation,
- receiving a second plurality of signals from only a sub-array of elements of the array of optical sensing elements at a second frame rate;
- processing the second plurality of signals to estimate the presence of a barcode pattern to produce barcode data;
- and
- outputting the barcode data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.