Patent ID: 7714835
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An opto-electronic input device, wherein the input is formed by detected movements of an object (M), which input device is provided with an optical module comprising at least one laser with a resonant cavity for generating a measurement radiation beam (S), optical means for guiding the radiation beam (S) to a plate (V) close to the object (M), and conversion means for converting radiation from the measurement radiation beam (S), which is reflected by the object (M), into an electric signal, wherein the conversion means are formed by the combination of the resonant cavity of the laser and measurement means for measuring a change in the resonant cavity during operation, which change is caused by interference of the reflected radiation from the measurement radiation beam (S), which penetrates the resonant cavity, and the standing wave in the resonant cavity, and which is representative of a relative movement of the object (M) with respect to the module, wherein the optical module comprises the laser mounted on a carrier plate, and the optical means comprise an optical component mounted on the carrier plate and aligned with the laser, from which optical component the measurement radiation beam (S) emitted by the laser travels to the plate (V) close to the object (M), wherein the plate (V) comprises, close to the object (M), a first portion (V 1 ) that comprises an upper surface of a transparent block-shaped body which is situated within a projection of the object (M), wherein the transparent block-shaped body (i) is configured to enable passage of the radiation beam (S) upon entering near a lower sidewall and through multiple internal reflections against sidewalls of the transparent block-shaped body to the upper surface of the transparent block-shaped body and (ii) is situated in a fixed position with respect to the carrier plate in that the transparent block-shaped body is mounted onto the carrier plate, as well as a second portion (V 2 ) which is situated within a projection of the object (M) and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the carrier plate, wherein the second portion (V 2 ) comprises signaling means which, in response to movement of the second portion (V 2 ) in the direction perpendicular to the carrier plate, is configured to issue a signal that can be perceived by a user of the device with one of his senses.