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:
Jun. 10, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 19, 2012
Mechaless Systems Gmbh, Bruchsal, DE;
Erhard Schweninger, Karlsruhe, DE;
Michael Hase, Wiesloch, DE;
Mechaless Systems GmbH, Bruchsal, DE;
Abstract
An optical operating element comprises a light-emitting transmitter, an optical receiver, a prism, and a cover. The prism has a side surface that is an active sensor area, and the prism is arranged below the cover such that the active sensor area is oriented substantially parallel to the underside of the cover. The cover has a sensor region which is above the active sensor area and which has a transmittance of at most 99%, at most 95%, at most 90%, at most 80% or at most 50%. Light emitted by the transmitter is guided through the prism and passes through the active sensor area and the cover. The emitted light reflected at an object enters through the sensor region and the active sensor area and is guided through the prism to the receiver. A change in reflection is identified by an evaluation circuit and is interpreted as switching.