The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 17, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 08, 1999
Marc Bidiville, Pully, CH;
Eric Raeber, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Javier Arreguit, Le Mont sur Lausanne, CH;
Harthmuth Buczek, Marin-Epagnier, CH;
Floris A. Van Shaik, Chavannes, CH;
Francois Bauduin, Chézard, CH;
Denis O'Keeffe, Newmarket, IE;
Logitech, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
A dual-layer optical ball for use in a cursor control pointing device. The ball is illuminated by a light source that emits light signals at, at least, a first wavelength, the ball having an inner layer surface that is capable of diffusing a light signal and an outer layer having a substantially smooth surface that surrounds the inner layer. The outer layer is substantially transparent to light at the first frequency. The inner layer diffuses the light signals at different intensities depending upon an the area of the inner surface that is illuminated.