Optical conduit for channeling light onto a surface

摘要

An optical conduit in an optical mouse is used to channel light from a light source onto a surface for illumination. Light from the light source is totally and internally reflected within the optical conduit towards the surface. To improve the efficiency of light transmission, the light source is glued to the exterior of the optical conduit, or embedded within the optical conduit itself. A reflector cup can be used to surround the light source so as to redirect light from the light source towards the output end of the optical conduit. The optical conduit can have curved surfaces that fit parabolic or hyperbolic equations, or other equations of second-order or higher.