US5801681A — Method and apparatus for generating a control sig…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 162 words

An apparatus for generating a control signal for controlling movement of a first object, the control signal corresponding to movement of a second object in contact with a first surface, comprising: a platen comprising the first surface, the platen being characterized by a critical angle beyond which light incident upon the first surface is not transmitted; a source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting electromagnetic radiation through the platen which is diffused by the second object; a lens for transmitting a portion of the electromagnetic radiation beyond the critical angle; a single detector having a plurality of adjacent sectors for receiving the portion of the electromagnetic radiation and generating charge in response thereto; and conversion circuitry for converting the charge generated in the detector to the control signal, the control signal representing a speed and a direction of movement of the first object, the speed and direction of movement corresponding to a relationship between charge generated in each of the plurality of sectors.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 162 words

An apparatus for generating a control signal for controlling movement of a first object, the control signal corresponding to movement of a second object in contact with a first surface, comprising: a platen comprising the first surface, the platen being characterized by a critical angle beyond which light incident upon the first surface is not transmitted; a source of electromagnetic radiation for emitting electromagnetic radiation through the platen which is diffused by the second object; a lens for transmitting a portion of the electromagnetic radiation beyond the critical angle; a single detector having a plurality of adjacent sectors for receiving the portion of the electromagnetic radiation and generating charge in response thereto; and conversion circuitry for converting the charge generated in the detector to the control signal, the control signal representing a speed and a direction of movement of the first object, the speed and direction of movement corresponding to a relationship between charge generated in each of the plurality of sectors.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lens comprises a microsphere lens.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detector comprises a photodetector array having a plurality of sensing elements each of which comprises one of the plurality of sectors.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the photodetector array comprises four sensing elements each of which comprises a quadrant of the detector.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detector comprises a photodetector array having a first plurality of pixels, the first plurality of pixels being configurable to form the plurality of sectors.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first plurality of pixels are configurable to form four sectors each of which comprises a quadrant of the detector.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first plurality of pixels are configurable to generate charge corresponding to a high resolution image of the object.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 58 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first plurality of pixels are configurable in a first mode of operation to form a first number of sectors, each sector having an output associated therewith, the plurality of pixels also being configurable in a second mode of operation to form a single imaging array having a single output associated therewith.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 41 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the photodetector array is implemented in a single silicon substrate, the apparatus further comprising encryption circuitry for encrypting the charge generated in the photodetector array, the encryption circuitry being implemented in the single silicon substrate.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the photodetector array is implemented in a single silicon substrate, the apparatus further comprising a computer interface, the computer interface being implemented in the single silicon substrate.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 48 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the photodetector array is implemented in a single silicon substrate, the apparatus further comprising an analog-to-digital converter and an external input for injecting signals into the analog-to-digital converter, the external input and the analog-to-digital converter being implemented in the single silicon substrate.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 60 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second object comprises a fingertip and the control signal is for controlling movement of a pointer on a display in response to the movement of the fingertip on the platen, and wherein the conversion circuitry comprises an analog-to-digital converter and a serial data interface to facilitate compatibility with a computer serial data port.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the conversion circuitry is further operable to generate a selection signal in response to a sequence of intermittent contacts between the fingertip and the platen, the selection signal being for selecting an item on the display indicated by the pointer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising an ultrasonic sensor for taking an echographic cross-section of the fingertip, the echographic cross-section comprising data indicating whether the fingertip is a live human fingertip.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detector and the source of electromagnetic radiation are integrated with an injection molded plastic housing comprising the platen.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the housing further comprises the lens.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises at least one light emitting diode.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is positioned with respect to the platen such that only the electromagnetic radiation diffused by the second object beyond the critical angle impinges upon the detector.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is positioned with respect to the platen such that the electromagnetic radiation internally reflects from the platen and impinges upon the detector.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a memory for storing data specific to the apparatus.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 34 words

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the detector and the memory are implemented in a single silicon substrate, and the memory comprises memory which may be configured so that it may not be rewritten.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the detector and the memory are implemented in a single silicon substrate, and the memory comprises volatile memory.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second object defines an area of contact with the platen, the apparatus further comprising means for determining whether the size of the area of contact exceeds a threshold.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 77 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first surface of the platen has an object plane associated therewith, and the detector has an image plane associated therewith, there being an optical path between the object plane and image plane, the apparatus further comprising a housing within which the detector is enclosed, the housing having an internal surface through which the optical path passes, the internal surface and the lens being part of a demagnifying telecentric lens system.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 168 words

A method for generating a control signal for controlling movement of a first object, the control signal corresponding to movement of a second object in contact with a first surface of a platen, the platen being characterized by a critical angle beyond which light incident upon the first surface is not transmitted, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting electromagnetic radiation through the platen which is diffused by the second object; transmitting a portion of the electromagnetic radiation beyond the critical angle using a lens; receiving the portion of the electromagnetic radiation with a single detector having a plurality of adjacent sectors, the sectors of the detector generating charge in response to the portion of the electromagnetic radiation; and converting the charge generated in the sectors of the detector to the control signal, the control signal representing a speed and a direction of movement of the first object, the speed and direction of movement corresponding to a relationship between charge generated in each of the plurality of sectors.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 168 words

A method for generating a control signal for controlling movement of a first object, the control signal corresponding to movement of a second object in contact with a first surface of a platen, the platen being characterized by a critical angle beyond which light incident upon the first surface is not transmitted, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting electromagnetic radiation through the platen which is diffused by the second object; transmitting a portion of the electromagnetic radiation beyond the critical angle using a lens; receiving the portion of the electromagnetic radiation with a single detector having a plurality of adjacent sectors, the sectors of the detector generating charge in response to the portion of the electromagnetic radiation; and converting the charge generated in the sectors of the detector to the control signal, the control signal representing a speed and a direction of movement of the first object, the speed and direction of movement corresponding to a relationship between charge generated in each of the plurality of sectors.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 25 wherein transmitting the portion of the electromagnetic radiation using the lens employs a microsphere lens.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method of claim 25 further comprising the steps of: in a first mode of operation, configuring the detector to comprise a first number of sectors for generating charge and generating the control signal; and in a second mode of operation, configuring the detector to comprise a single imaging array.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 84 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the second object comprises a fingertip, the method further comprising the steps of: in a first mode of operation, configuring the detector to comprise a first number of sectors for generating charge and generating the control signal for controlling movement of a pointer on a display in response to the movement of the fingertip on the platen; and in a second mode of operation, configuring the detector to comprise a single imaging array for generating the image data.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the second object comprises a fingertip and the control signal is for controlling movement of a pointer on a display in response to the movement of the fingertip on the platen, the converting step comprising the step of converting the charge to a digital serial signal compatible with a computer serial data port.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of generating a selection signal for selecting an item on the display indicated by the pointer, the selection signal being generated in response to a sequence of intermittent contacts between the fingertip and the platen.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of initializing the control signal for an initial position of the fingertip on the platen such that movement of the pointer does not occur when the fingertip is in the initial position.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of reinitializing the control signal each time the fingertip is removed from the platen and replaced thereon.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the electromagnetic radiation is pulsed on and off.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the first transmitting step comprises transmitting the electromagnetic radiation through the platen from beyond the critical angle thereby causing the electromagnetic radiation to internally reflect from the platen and impinge upon the detector.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the first transmitting step comprises transmitting the electromagnetic radiation through the platen such that only the electromagnetic radiation diffused by the second object beyond the critical angle impinges upon the detector.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the second object defines an area of contact with the platen, the method further comprising the step of determining whether the size of the area of contact exceeds a threshold.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 147 words

A method of manufacturing a control device comprising a plastic housing having a detector mounting surface with an image plane associated therewith and a platen surface with an object plane associated therewith, the object and image planes being fixed with respect to each other, the control device also comprising an optical element, there being an optical path between the object plane and the image plane which is defined in part by the optical element, the method comprising the steps of: affixing a detector to the detector mounting surface; affixing the optical element to the plastic housing with an epoxy; before the epoxy hardens, moving the optical element, thereby adjusting the optical path to cause an image of a test pattern at the object plane to come into focus at the image plane; and hardening the epoxy to fix the optical element with respect to the plastic housing.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 147 words

A method of manufacturing a control device comprising a plastic housing having a detector mounting surface with an image plane associated therewith and a platen surface with an object plane associated therewith, the object and image planes being fixed with respect to each other, the control device also comprising an optical element, there being an optical path between the object plane and the image plane which is defined in part by the optical element, the method comprising the steps of: affixing a detector to the detector mounting surface; affixing the optical element to the plastic housing with an epoxy; before the epoxy hardens, moving the optical element, thereby adjusting the optical path to cause an image of a test pattern at the object plane to come into focus at the image plane; and hardening the epoxy to fix the optical element with respect to the plastic housing.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 37 wherein the hardening step comprises exposing the epoxy to high intensity ultraviolet light thereby facilitating hardening of the epoxy.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 37 wherein the moving step is controlled by a computer which directs a motorized arm to move the optical element while monitoring an output signal from the detector.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 37 wherein the optical element comprises a reflective element.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 37 wherein the optical element comprises a refractive element.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 41 wherein the plastic housing and the optical element are part of a telecentric lens system.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-08-31	2002-03-02	2002-09-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-08-31	2006-03-02	2006-09-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-08-31	2010-03-02	2010-09-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for generating a control signal

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