Optical sensor based user interface for a portable electronic device

Abstract

An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required. In one embodiment, the apparatus, capable of sensing manipulation and directed by software, has a light source and corresponding light sensor.

1 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 an optical sensor operable to detect user interaction with said portable electronic device, wherein said optical sensor detects variation in optics responsive to a user interaction with said portable electronic device;   a display operable to display information, wherein said display is further operable to display information in response to said detected user interaction, wherein said display and said optical sensor are part of a common housing; and   a processor coupled to said optical sensor, wherein said processor is operable to process said detected user interaction, and wherein said processor is responsive to said user interaction to control an operation of said portable electronic device dependent on a speed of said user interaction.   
     
     
         2 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 1 , wherein said optical sensor is selected from a group consisting of: a solid state photosensitive electro-optical device; a quantum photodetector; a radiometer; and a pyroelectric detector. 
     
     
         3 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 2  further comprising:
 an optical source, wherein said optical source is selected from a group consisting of: a light emitting diode (LED); a laser diode (LD); and a quantum dot.   
     
     
         4 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 1 , wherein said operation comprises scrolling, on said display, through a plurality of graphical items rendered on said display. 
     
     
         5 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 1 , wherein operation of said optical sensor varies in response to a user's varying touch. 
     
     
         6 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 1 , wherein said sensor comprises a surface, and wherein said optical sensor is further operable to detect speed and direction of movement of said user interaction over said surface. 
     
     
         7 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 6 , wherein said processor in response to said optical sensor detecting a first movement at a first speed performs a first display update at a first update rate, and wherein said processor in response to said optical sensor detecting a second movement at a second speed performs a second display update at a second update rate faster than said first update rate. 
     
     
         8 . A method of optical detection within a mobile electronic device, said method comprising:
 optically detecting a user interaction with a display of said mobile electronic device using an optical sensor coupled to said display, wherein said optical sensor and said display are integrated within a same housing;   processing information related to said user interaction; and   in response to said processing, controlling an operation of said mobile electronic device depending on a speed of said user interaction as detected by said optical sensor.   
     
     
         9 . The method as described in  claim 8  wherein said optically detecting comprises:
 receiving optical signals via said optical sensor; and   determining variation in said optical signals, wherein said variation is in response to said user interaction with a surface of said optical sensor.   
     
     
         10 . The method as described in  claim 9  further comprising:
 scanning between an optical source and said optical sensor.   
     
     
         11 . The method as described in  claim 9 , wherein said variation in said optical signals is in response to a user's varying touch. 
     
     
         12 . The method as described in  claim 8 , wherein said operation comprises scrolling through a plurality of graphical items rendered on said display wherein a speed of said scrolling and a direction of said scrolling depend on a speed and a direction, respectively of said user interaction. 
     
     
         13 . The method as described in  claim 8  wherein said processing and said controlling are performed by a processor that is also integrated within the same housing. 
     
     
         14 . The method as described in  claim 8  wherein said optically detecting comprises:
 detecting speed and direction of movement of said user interaction over a surface of said optical sensor.   
     
     
         15 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 a display operable to display information comprising graphical items;   a sensor coupled to said display, wherein said display and said sensor are disposed within a same housing, and wherein said sensor is operable to detect a movement of a user's finger over a surface; and   a processor coupled to said sensor, wherein said processor is operable to alter a display of said graphical items in response to said sensor and based on a speed of said movement.   
     
     
         16 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 15 , wherein display of said graphical items is altered by scrolling through said graphical items wherein a speed of said scrolling is based on said speed of said movement. 
     
     
         17 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 16 , wherein said scrolling updates said display at a first rate responsive to said sensor sensing said movement of said user's finger at a first speed and updates said display at a second rate responsive to said sensor sensing said movement of said user's finger at a second rate. 
     
     
         18 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 15 , wherein a portion of said graphical items is user selectable. 
     
     
         19 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 15 , wherein said sensor is further operable to detect speed and direction of movement of said user's finger over a surface. 
     
     
         20 . The portable electronic device as described in  claim 15 , wherein said sensor is optical.