Patent ID: 8780086

Claim:
An input device for gathering user input in an electronic device, comprising: a light-guide structure; a light source that supplies light to the light-guide structure; an image sensor that detects contacts between an object that is manipulated by a user and the light-guide structure, wherein the light-guide structure comprises a wedge-shaped transparent member having an upper surface and an end face, wherein the image sensor measures reflected light patterns on the end face that result from contact between the object and the upper surface, wherein the image sensor is configured to detect different light patterns depending on which location along the upper surface is contacted by the object, wherein the light-guide structure comprises first and second light-guide structure layers that are separated by an opaque layer and wherein the image sensor is configured to determine from the measured reflected light patterns which of the first and second light-guide structure layers is being contacted by the object and is configured to determine a direction of movement of the object relative to the light-guide structure.