Abstract:
There are provided an optical pointing module having a lighting function and an electric device that can be used at night or dark place. An optical pointing module having a lighting function according to an aspect of the invention may include: a laser light source mounted on a printed circuit board; an outer housing through which laser light, emitted from the laser light source, passes, the outer housing having an outside part formed of a transparent material; and a lighting unit mounted inside the outer housing and supplying light to the outside part.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0044194 filed on May 11, 2010, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an optical pointing module and an electric device, and more particularly, to an optical pointing module having a lighting function and an electric device that can be used at night or dark place. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, personal mobile terminals, such as cellular phones or smartphones, have been employing user interfaces using keypads, which consist of a set of buttons in order to input numbers and letters as well as directional buttons. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, in line with the commercialization of wireless Internet services such as wireless broadband (WIBRO) services, an operating system of a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows a user to perform an operation through the use of graphics, has been used in a personal mobile terminal when the user exchanges information with a computer. 
         [0007]    That is, the GUI, which allows the user to perform an operation by selecting a menu on a screen, is used as a user interface of a personal mobile terminal by using a mouse or the like, there is an urgent need for an input device appropriate for the personal mobile terminal. 
         [0008]    Correspondingly, touch keys, joysticks, and the like using an improved mono method of making a selection in a sequential manner, such as a keypad, on a display screen of a personal mobile terminal have appeared. 
         [0009]    However, these touch keys and joysticks in the related art are difficult to use at night or dark place. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An aspect of the present invention provides an optical pointing module having a lighting function and an electronic apparatus that can be used at night or dark place. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical pointing module having a lighting function, the optical pointing module including: a laser light source mounted on a printed circuit board; an outer housing through which laser light, emitted from the laser light source, passes, the outer housing having an outside part formed of a transparent material; and a lighting unit mounted inside the outer housing and supplying light to the outside part. 
         [0012]    The outside part may be provided along a circumference of the outer housing and emits light from an upper surface of the outer housing. 
         [0013]    The outside part may be provided along a circumference of the outer housing and emits light from side surfaces of the outer housing. 
         [0014]    The lighting unit may include: at least one light emitting diode mounted on the printed circuit board and emitting light; and a light guide guiding the light, emitted from the at least one light emitting diode, in a predetermine direction. 
         [0015]    The light guide may include an encapsulation part extended to the printed circuit board and surrounding the at least one light emitting diode. 
         [0016]    A reflective surface may be provided on an outer surface of the light guide in order to guide light. 
         [0017]    A leakage prevention surface may be provided on an outer surface of the encapsulation part in order to prevent leaks of the light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode. 
         [0018]    The optical pointing module may further include: a light receiving unit located on the printed circuit board and receiving the laser light, reflected from the outer housing by an external stimulus to transmit an electrical signal to an integrated circuit; and an inner housing received in the outer housing and having a passage recess through which the laser light passes. 
         [0019]    The inner housing may include a contact surface coming into contact with a lower surface of the light guide. 
         [0020]    A surface of the inner housing, in which the passage recess may be provided, may be dented on the contact surface. 
         [0021]    A bottom surface of the passage recess of the inner housing may include a light transmission hole through which the laser light, emitted from the laser light source, is transmitted, and a light-receiving hole through which the laser light, reflected from the outer housing, may be received. 
         [0022]    The light receiving unit may include an image sensor receiving the laser light reflected from the outer housing. 
         [0023]    The inner housing may be formed of polycarbonate. 
         [0024]    The laser light source may be a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). 
         [0025]    The optical pointing module may, further include a dome switch provided on a lower surface of the printed circuit board. 
         [0026]    An area of the light-receiving hole may be greater than that of the light transmission hole. 
         [0027]    The inner housing may include a first opening through which the encapsulation part of the light guide passes, and the light guide may include a second opening allowing the laser light to be emitted through the passage groove and the laser light being reflected to be input to the passage recess. 
         [0028]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including: an optical pointing module having a laser light source mounted on a printed circuit board, an outer housing through which laser light, emitted from the laser light source, passes, the outer housing having an outside part formed of a transparent material, and a lighting unit mounted inside the outer housing and supplying light to the outside part; a casing receiving the optical pointing module therein and exposing the outer housing to an outside thereof; and a display displaying an image according to signal processing by the optical pointing module. 
         [0029]    The electronic apparatus of claim  18 , wherein the outside part may be provided along a circumference of the outer housing and emits light from an upper surface of the outer housing. 
         [0030]    The outside part may be provided along a circumference of the outer housing and emits light from side surfaces of the outer housing. 
         [0031]    The lighting unit may include: at least one light emitting diode mounted on the printed circuit board and emitting light; and a light guide guiding the light, emitted from the at least one light emitting diode, in a predetermined direction. 
         [0032]    The light guide may include an encapsulation part extended to the printed circuit board and surrounding the at least one light emitting diode. 
         [0033]    A reflective surface may be provided on an outer surface of the light guide in order to guide light. 
         [0034]    A leakage prevention surface may be provided on an outer surface of the encapsulation part in order to prevent leaks of the light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode. 
         [0035]    The optical pointing module may include: a light receiving unit located on the printed circuit board and receiving the light, reflected from the outer housing by an external stimulus to transmit an electrical signal to the integrated circuit; and an inner housing received in the outer housing and a passage recess through which the laser light passes. 
         [0036]    The inner housing may include a contact surface coming into contact with a lower surface of the light guide. 
         [0037]    A surface of the inner housing, through which the passage recess may be provided, may be dented on the contact surface. 
         [0038]    A bottom surface of the passage recess of the inner housing may include a light transmission hole through which the laser light, emitted from the laser light source, is transmitted, and a light-receiving hole through which the laser light, reflected from the outer housing, may be received. 
         [0039]    The light receiving unit may include an image sensor receiving the laser light reflected from the outer housing. 
         [0040]    The inner housing may be formed of polycarbonate. 
         [0041]    The laser light source may be a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). 
         [0042]    The electronic apparatus may further a dome switch provided on a lower surface of the printed circuit board. 
         [0043]    An area of the light-receiving hole may be greater than that of the light transmission hole. 
         [0044]    The inner housing may include a first opening through which the encapsulation part of the light guide passes, and the light guide may include a second opening allowing the laser light to be emitted through the passage groove and the laser light being reflected to be input to the passage recess. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0045]    The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0046]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 2  is a schematic lower perspective view illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 3  is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 5  is an upper view illustrating an inner housing of an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0052]      FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an electronic apparatus using an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0053]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0054]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is a schematic lower perspective view schematically illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view illustrating an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , an optical pointing module according to this embodiment may include an outer housing  100 , an inner housing  200 , a light receiving unit  500 , and a dome switch  600 . 
         [0056]    Laser light, emitted from a laser light source  310  to be described below, is transmitted through the outer housing  100 . An external stimulus is input to the outer housing  100 . 
         [0057]    The outer housing  100  accommodates the inner housing  200  and the light receiving unit  500 , which form the optical pointing module according to this embodiment, and may be shaped like a cap with an opening in one surface thereof. 
         [0058]    An upper surface of the outer housing  100  has a transmissive area through which light is transmitted. In terms of increasing durability and workability, the outer housing  100  may be manufactured by injection molding. 
         [0059]    The outer housing  100  may be formed around the circumference of the outer housing  100  and include an outside part  120  emitting light, being supplied from lighting portions  700  and  320  to be described below, to the outside. The outside part  120  may emit light from both an upper surface of the outer housing  100  along the circumference of the outer housing  100  and side surfaces of the light outer housing  100 . 
         [0060]    Furthermore, the outer housing  100  is not limited to a square shape as this embodiment. The shape of the outer housing  100  can be modified by a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0061]    The lighting portions  700  and  320  may include a light guide  700  guiding light so that light can be supplied to the outside part  120  of the outer housing  100  and at least one light emitting diode (LED)  320  emitting light to the light guide  700 . 
         [0062]    Light, emitted from the at least one light emitting diode  320 , is made incident upon the inside of the light guide  700 . The light guide  70  comes into contact with a lower surface of the outer housing  100 , thereby supplying the light to the outside part  120  of the outer housing  100 . To this end, a reflective surface  720  may be formed on the outer surface of the light guide  700  so that the light, made incident inside the light guide  700 , is reflected and guided in a predetermined direction. The reflective surface  720  may be formed by painting the outer surface of the light guide  700  silver. 
         [0063]    The light guide  700  may include an encapsulation part  730  that is extended to the printed circuit board  400  and surrounds the light emitting diode  320 . A leakage prevention surface  740  may be formed on the outer surface of the encapsulation part  730  in order to prevent leaks of light, emitted from the light emitting diode  320 . The leakage prevention surface  740  may be formed by painting the outer surface of the encapsulation part  730  black. 
         [0064]    In addition, the light guide  700  may have a second opening  710  through which the laser light passes. 
         [0065]    The inner housing  200  is received inside the outer housing  100  and may have a passage recess  210  in an upper surface thereof coming into contact with the outer housing  100 . The laser light passes through the passage recess  210 . Here, the upper surface of the inner housing  200  is dented to form the passage recess  210 . However, the invention is not limited thereto. 
         [0066]    An inner surface  215  of the passage recess  210  serves to shield external light when laser light, emitted from a laser light source  310  to be described below, is reflected from the light guide  700  and is received in an image sensor (not shown) of an integrated circuit  300 . 
         [0067]    Furthermore, in the same manner as the inner surface  215  of the passage recess  210 , an outer surface of the inner housing  200  that comes into contact with the inner surface of the light guide  700  serves to shield external light. 
         [0068]    The laser light, reflected from the outer housing  100 , is received in the image sensor (not shown) of the light receiving unit  500  and computes a position on a display (not shown) of an electronic apparatus by the integrated circuit  300 . 
         [0069]    Here, the inflow of external light hinders the operation of computing a position through the integrated circuit  300 , and thus it becomes impossible to indicate an accurate position thereof on the display (not shown). 
         [0070]    Therefore, the external light is shielded by the outer surface of the inner housing  200 , which comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer housing  100 , and the inner surface  215  of the passage recess  210 . A description of the passage recess  210  will be made below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0071]    The passage recess  210  of the inner housing  200  may have a light transmission hole  220  and a light-receiving hole  230 . 
         [0072]    The light transmission hole  220  is formed in a bottom surface of the passage recess  210  and serves as a path through which laser light, emitted from the laser light source  310 , is made incident upon the outer housing  100 . The laser light, passing through the light transmission hole  220 , is transmitted through a predetermined region of the outer housing  100 . 
         [0073]    The light transmission hole  220  may have a circular shape but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
         [0074]    The light-receiving hole  230  is also formed in the bottom surface of the passage recess  212  and serves as a path through which laser light, being transmitted through the outer housing  100 , is reflected by an external stimulus and received in the image sensor (not shown). The light-receiving hole  230  may have a square shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Here, the laser light being emitted and the laser light being reflected may be transmitted through the second opening  710  of the light guide  700 . 
         [0075]    Furthermore, a first opening  240  may be formed in the inner housing  200  so that the light, emitted from the light emitting diode  320 , can be transmitted to the light guide  700 . The encapsulation part  730  of the light guide  700  is injected through the first opening  240  to thereby surround the light emitting diode  320 . 
         [0076]    A receiving recess  250  is a space in which the light receiving unit  500  is received, and will be described below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0077]    The light receiving unit  500  may include the integrated circuit  300  and a printed circuit board  400 . The integrated circuit  300  may include the image sensor (not shown). 
         [0078]    The image sensor (not shown) of the integrated circuit  300  receives the laser light, passing through the light-receiving hole  230  of the inner housing  200 , and computes a position value on a display (not shown) to thereby indicate an accurate position on the display (not shown). 
         [0079]    The circuit board  400  transmits an electrical signal of the integrated circuit  300  to the display (not shown) in order to indicate an accurate position on the display (not shown). 
         [0080]    The laser light source  310 , which becomes a source of laser light, and the light emitting diode  320  may be located on the printed circuit board  400 . 
         [0081]    The laser light source  310  may be a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). Hereinafter, the laser light source  310  may also be referred to as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser  310 . 
         [0082]    The vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser  310  is a type of laser diode that converts an electrical signal into an optical signal. 
         [0083]    The vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser  310  is a new light source that will replace an existing lateral light emitting semiconductor (FP or DFB). The vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser  310  replaces a photoelectric sensor such as an infrared light emitting diode (LED) sensor module, thereby manufacturing a precision photoelectric sensor. 
         [0084]    The dome switch  600  may be located under the circuit board  400  in order to indicate an accurate position on the display (not shown) by the external stimulus. 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the inner housing  200 , as described above, may include the receiving recess  250  in addition to the passage recess  210 , the light transmission hole  220 , and the light-receiving hole  230 . 
         [0086]    In an optical pointing module, the receiving recess  250  is a space in which accessory devices are located. The size and kind of the accessory devices may be varied according to an electronic apparatus including the above-described optical pointing module. 
         [0087]    Furthermore, the inner housing  200  may be received in the outer housing  100  and come into contact with the inner surface of the light guide  700  except for the passage recess  210 , the light transmission hole  220 , the light-receiving hole  230 , and the receiving recess  250 . 
         [0088]    As described above, external light is thereby shielded by the outer surface of the inner housing  200  that comes into contact with the inner surface of the light guide  700 . 
         [0089]    Here, the inner housing  200  may be formed of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate, which is resins made by polymerizing carbonates, is as strong as a metal while being acid and heat-resistant. 
         [0090]      FIG. 5  is a view illustrating an upper view illustrating an inner housing of an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a light guide of an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an electronic apparatus using an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         [0091]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inner housing  200  of the optical pointing module according to this embodiment has the passage recess  210 , which is recessed to be lower than the outer surface thereof that comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer housing  100 . The passage recess  210  may have the light transmission hole  220  through which laser light is transmitted and the light-receiving hole  230  in which laser light, reflected by an external stimulus such as a finger located on the surface of the outer housing  100 . Furthermore, the inner housing  200  may also have the first opening  240  through which the encapsulation part  730  of the light guide  700  can pass. 
         [0092]    In terms of the directionality of laser light and receiving reflected laser light, the area of the light-receiving hole may be larger than that of the light transmission hole. 
         [0093]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the light guide  700  according to this embodiment may have the second opening  710  and the encapsulation part  730 . Here, laser light, emitted through the light transmission hole  220  of the inner housing  200 , and reflected laser light, made incident upon the light-receiving hole  230 , pass through the second opening  710 . The encapsulation part  730  may surround the light emitting diode  320  through the first opening  240  of the inner housing  200 . 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , an electronic apparatus using an optical pointing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in particular, a mobile communications terminal  1000  can display an image, appearing on a display of the mobile communications terminal  1000 , by providing a stimulus on an outer housing of an optical pointing module  800  by using a finger. In particular, a clear view is secured by light emitted from the optical pointing module  800  at night or dark place, thereby readily moving positions (p 1  and p 2 ) of a cursor on the mobile communications terminal  1000 . 
         [0095]    As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, as an optical pointing module and an electronic apparatus have a lighting function, they can be used at night or dark place. 
         [0096]    While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.