Optical navigation module with decoration light using interference avoidance method

Abstract

A method of eliminating interference at an optical sensor of a mobile device that receives light from multiple light sources. The mobile device includes an optical navigation module having a cover and an illumination device disposed around the periphery of the cover. The optical navigation module includes an optical sensor that detects light reflected from an object contacting the cover. A processor receives electrical signals from the optical sensor and interprets movement of the object. The method reduces interference between the light source of the optical navigation module and the light source of the illumination device by controlling emission of light rays from each light source. The emission of light rays may be controlled based on timing, frequency and/or coding domains.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A handheld communication device comprising:
 an optical navigation module comprising:
 a cover having a top surf ace and a bottom surface; 
 a navigation light source that transmits a first signal at a first wavelength to illuminate the cover; 
 a decorative light source that transmits a second signal at a second wavelength, 
 the second wavelength being different than the first wavelength, the decorative light source illuminating a periphery of the cover; and 
 an optical sensor that detects light reflected from an external object that contacts the top surface of the cover, the optical sensor generating corresponding contact signals; and 
   a processor electrically coupled to the optical sensor, the processor receiving the contact signals to perform an operation on the handheld communication device.   
     
     
         13 . The handheld communication device of  claim 12 , wherein the optical navigation module further comprises an illumination ring disposed around the periphery of the cover. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld communication device of  claim 12 , wherein the first wavelength corresponds to an infrared radiation spectrum and the second wavelength corresponds to a visible spectrum. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld communication device of  claim 14 , wherein the second wavelength corresponds to one or more colors, the illumination ring exhibiting the one or more colors. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld communication device of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the one or more colors is white. 
     
     
         17 . A handheld communication device comprising:
 an optical navigation module comprising:
 a cover having a top surf ace and a bottom surface; 
 a navigation light source that illuminates the cover; 
 a decorative light source that illuminates a periphery of the cover; 
 an optical sensor that detects light reflected from an external object that contacts the top surface of the cover, the optical sensor generating corresponding contact signals; and 
   a processor electrically coupled to the navigation light source, the decorative light source and the optical sensor, the processor operating to:   generate a first control signal to operate the navigation light source, the first control signal pulsed according to a first modulation code; and   generate a second control signal to operate the decorative light source, the second control signal pulsed according to a second modulation code.   
     
     
         18 . The handheld communication device of  claim 17 , wherein the second modulation code is orthogonal to the first modulation code. 
     
     
         19 . The handheld communication device of  claim 17 , wherein the processor is electrically coupled to the optical sensor, the processor receiving the contact signals to perform an operation on the handheld communication device. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld communication device of  claim 17 , wherein the optical navigation module further comprises an illumination ring that is optically coupled to the decorative light source, the illumination ring disposed around the periphery of the cover.