US 8,497,840 B2 · Computer peripheral for scanning

Abstract

A computer peripheral that may operate as a hand-held scanner and, in some embodiments, also as a conventional computer mouse. The components incorporated in the device to support scanning may be compact and may be positioned to allow flexibility in shaping a housing of the device. As a result, the device may be ergonomically shaped to facilitate hand-held use as either a scanner or a mouse. Controls, for mouse or scanner operation, may be readily incorporated into the device. The components may also be low cost. Such a low cost, compact design may be achieved through an appropriate selection of curved reflective surfaces in optical paths through the housing. The curved reflective surface may selectively focus or spread light traveling along an optical path, reducing or eliminating the need for lenses and may enable light emitting elements and an image array to be mounted on the same printed circuit board.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for use as a hand-held scanner, comprising:

a housing comprising a lower surface with a window therethrough and a domed upper outer surface shaped to conform to a human hand;
a circuit board positioned within the housing adjacent the lower surface, the circuit board comprising:
an upper surface;
a light emitting component mounted to the upper surface, the light emitting component being adapted and configured to emit light to illuminate the window;
and
an image array mounted to the upper surface;
a concave reflective segment coupled to the housing in a location such that the concave reflective segment redirects and focuses light passing through the window in an optical path to the image array;
and
a convex reflective segment coupled to the housing in a location such that the convex reflective segment redirects and spreads light emitted from the light emitting component in an optical path to the window;
wherein the concave reflective segment and the convex reflective segment are located within the housing between the domed upper outer surface of the housing and the upper surface of the circuit board.

7 more elements

Apparatus for use as a scanner-mouse, the apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising a lower surface, the lower surface having a window formed therein;
a circuit assembly positioned within the housing adjacent to the lower surface, the circuit assembly comprising:
an upper surface parallel to the lower surface,
an image array disposed on the upper surface;
and
a light emitting element disposed on the upper surface;
a first reflective segment within the housing, the first reflective segment being shaped and positioned to reflect and focus light passing through the window in an optical path to the image array;
and
a second reflective segment within the housing, the second reflective segment being shaped and positioned to reflect and spread light from the light emitting element in the optical path to the window;
wherein the first reflective segment and the second reflective segment are located within the housing and above the upper surface of the circuit assembly.

7 more elements

Components for use in a computer peripheral for use as a scanner-mouse, comprising:

a first component comprising:
a top surface;
side walls extending from the top surface, the top surface and side walls bounding a cavity, with edges of the side walls defining an opening to the cavity;
a first concave reflective segment disposed within the cavity;
a second concave reflective segment disposed within the cavity;
a first convex reflective segment disposed within the cavity;
and
a second convex reflective segment disposed within the cavity;
and
a printed circuit board having an upper surface sized to fit within the opening of the cavity, the printed circuit board comprising:
a first light emitting component mounted on the upper surface;
a second light emitting component mounted on the upper surface;
and
an image array mounted on the upper surface,
wherein, when the printed circuit board is positioned in the opening of the cavity:
the first concave reflective segment is shaped and positioned to reflect light from a region of the opening of the cavity toward the second concave reflective segment;
the second concave reflective segment is shaped and positioned to reflect light from the first concave reflective segment toward the image array;
the first convex reflective segment is shaped and positioned to reflect light from the first light emitting component toward the region of the opening of the cavity;
the second convex reflective segment is shaped and positioned to reflect light from the second light emitting component toward the region of the opening of the cavity;
wherein first concave reflective segment, the second concave reflective segment, the first convex reflective segment, and the second convex reflective segment are located within the cavity and above the upper surface of the printed circuit board.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Computer peripheral for scanning

Life of this patent

Computer peripheral for scanning

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20