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US4647771A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical mouse with X and Y line patterns on separate planes

Assignee: Nippon Steel Texeng Co Ltd
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Filing: 1984-12-05
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Granted: 1987-03-03
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Expires: 2004-12-05
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Abstract

Abstract An optical mouse for inputting a cursor position including first and second line patterns formed on opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, with the lines of the first and second line patterns being perpendicular. The line patterns are illuminated by a light source in the movable mouse body, which also includes an optical system and detecting elements for separately detecting light reflected from the first and second patterns. Because the first and second line patterns are located at different distances from the optical system, light reflected from the two patterns can be separately focused to prevent interference between the two patterns.

Inventors

  • 👤 Takaaki Kato

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 02:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0317; G06F3/033; G06F3/039; G06F3/0395

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 110 words
An optical mouse comprising: a first line pattern provided on a first surface for detecting one direction of movement, said first line pattern comprising parallel lines made of a material which can be optically detected; a second line pattern provided on a second surface spaced a predetermined distance from said first surface for detecting movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to said one direction, said second line pattern comprising parallel lines made of a material which can be optically detected; means for illuminating said first and second line patterns; and line pattern reading means comprising optical means and detecting element means for separately detecting said first and second line patterns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 110 words
An optical mouse comprising: a first line pattern provided on a first surface for detecting one direction of movement, said first line pattern comprising parallel lines made of a material which can be optically detected; a second line pattern provided on a second surface spaced a predetermined distance from said first surface for detecting movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to said one direction, said second line pattern comprising parallel lines made of a material which can be optically detected; means for illuminating said first and second line patterns; and line pattern reading means comprising optical means and detecting element means for separately detecting said first and second line patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein lines of said first line pattern are substantially perpendicular to lines of said second line pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first line pattern is provided on an upper surface of a transparent substrate, and said second line pattern is provided on a lower surface of said transparent substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 45 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transparent film having said first line pattern laid on an upper surface of a transparent substrate, and a transparent film having said second line pattern laid on a lower surface of said transparent substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first line pattern is partially transparent, and said line pattern reading device is provided on the side of said first line pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first line pattern comprises dotted minute reflex points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 64 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of each of said parallel lines of said first line pattern is smaller than a distance between a first one of said parallel lines and a second one of said parallel lines adjacent to said first one, and said line pattern reading means is provided on the side of said first line pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 15 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 7, wherein said line pattern is partially transparent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 40 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light absorbing layer provided on a side of said second line pattern provided on said second surface facing away from said first line pattern provided on said first surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 36 words
The optical mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means comprises a first optical system focused on said first line pattern, and a second optical system which is focused on said second line pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 102 words
A mouse pad for an optical mouse having an infrared ray source and detecting elements for separately detecting a first line pattern on said pad composed of light-reflecting parallel lines provided on a first surface of a transparent substrate for detecting movement in one direction, and a second line pattern of said pad composed of light-reflecting parallel lines provided on a second surface of said substrate which is opposite to said first surface for detecting movement in another direction different from said one direction, said substrate being made of a material having a transmissivity for visible rays smaller than for infrared rays.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 102 words
A mouse pad for an optical mouse having an infrared ray source and detecting elements for separately detecting a first line pattern on said pad composed of light-reflecting parallel lines provided on a first surface of a transparent substrate for detecting movement in one direction, and a second line pattern of said pad composed of light-reflecting parallel lines provided on a second surface of said substrate which is opposite to said first surface for detecting movement in another direction different from said one direction, said substrate being made of a material having a transmissivity for visible rays smaller than for infrared rays.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 17 words
The mouse pad as claimed in claim 11, wherein said transparent substrate is made of acrylic resin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 42 words
The mouse pad as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first surface is an upper surface of said substrate, and said first line pattern on said upper surface of said substrate is covered with a protective film whose surface is microscopically uneven.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 64 words
The mouse pad as claimed in claim 11, wherein said material of which said substrate is made has a transmissivity for visible rays of about 20% for rays in the visible region of from about 400 nm to about 700 nm in wavelength, and a transmissivity of about 90% or more for rays in the infrared region higher than about 770 nm in wavelength.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

No citation records indexed.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-03-02 1990-09-01 1991-03-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-03-02 1994-09-01 1995-03-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-03-02 1998-09-01 1999-03-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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