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 Title: |
US4914437:
Encoder for measuring both incremental and absolute positions of moving elements
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Kibrick, Robert I.; Santa Cruz, CA
Delaney, Calvin R.; Aptos, CA
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| Assignee: |
Regents of the University of California, Alameda, CA
other patents from UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE REGENTS OF (599425) (approx. 4,840)
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| Published / Filed: |
1990-04-03
/ 1988-03-08
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| Application Number: |
US1988000165714
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
G01D 5/245;
H03M 1/30;
Core:
G01D 5/12;
H03M 1/22;
IPC-7:
H03M 1/22;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
341/003;
250/231.18;
341/011;
341/013;
Original:
341/003;
341/011;
341/013;
250/231.18;
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| Field of Search: |
341/001,3,11,13,15,16
250/231 SE,237 G
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| Priority Number: |
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| Abstract: |
An optical encoding system for determing the absolute and the incremental positions of a movable member relative to a stationary member. For example, three stationary light sources may be supported by the stationary member for emitting three narrow light beams on respective paths. An encoding band may be supported by the movable member in the paths of the light beams. The band has a timing and incremental encoding track comprising at least one series of alternating light-blocking stripes and light-passing stripes, and a data track comprising a series of distinct absolute position tags. A read head may be supported by the stationary member and has three optical sensors, one for each light beam, two preferably in quadrature with each other for the timing and incremental encoding track, and one for the data track. Each optical sensor includes light sensors for generating an analog signal voltage. A decoding system actuated by these analog signal voltages determines the incremental and absolute position of the movable member relative to the stationary member.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Owen, Wickersham & Erickson ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Shoop, Jr., William M.; Young, Brian K.
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Parent Case: |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 938,164, filed Dec. 4, 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,187 issued Apr. 5, 1988.
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| Family: |
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First Claim:
Show all 100 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. An encoding system for determining the absolute and the incremental positions of a movable member relative to a stationary member, including in combination:
- an encoding band supported by one said member and having
- a timing and incremental encoding track comprising at least one series of alternating activating stripes and non-activating stripes, and
- a single data track comprising a series of absolute position tags disposed at regular intervals along said data track, each said tag being distinctly different from every other said tag and each comprising a serial bit stream for encoding the absolute position corresponding to the location of its tag along said data track,
- reading means supported by the other said member and having three non-sweeping sensing means, two in quadrature with each other for said timing and incremental encoding track, and one for said data track, each said sensing means having a single energy-source-energy-sensor pair including means for generating an analog signal voltage,
- said movable members being capable of both discrete and continuous motion in both directions, and
- decoding means actuated by said analog signal voltages for determining the incremental and absolute positions of said movable member relative to said stationary member,
- whereby said absolute and incremental positions can be determined solely from said system without dependence on any additional information external to said system.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 37 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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