Abstract: A fiber sensor includes a light source, and an optical fiber having flexibility to guide light emitted from the light source. The optical fiber has at least one light characteristics conversion portion. The fiber sensor also includes a light-receiving unit to receive the light guided by the optical fiber, and an identification unit having a unique shape on an outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber as compared with a round shape. The identification unit is formed to have a shape enabling at least one of an installation position and posture of the light characteristics conversion portion provided on the optical fiber to be identified.

Abstract: An encoder signal processing circuit is connected to encoder heads outputting an encoder signal in accordance with a relative displacement with respect to a corresponding scale in such a way that signals can be transmitted to and received from the encoder heads, and processes encoder signals from the encoder heads. The circuit includes a processing unit and a processing decision unit. The processing unit generates displacement information from the encoder signal. The processing decision unit decides at least one of content of processing for the encoder heads and content of processing on encoder signals read from the encoder heads after starting to read an encoder signal from one of the encoder heads.

Abstract: An encoder signal processing circuit is connected to encoder heads outputting an encoder signal in accordance with a relative displacement with respect to a corresponding scale in such a way that signals can be transmitted to and received from the encoder heads, and processes encoder signals from the encoder heads. The circuit includes a processing unit and a processing decision unit. The processing unit generates displacement information from the encoder signal. The processing decision unit decides at least one of content of processing for the encoder heads and content of processing on encoder signals read from the encoder heads after starting to read an encoder signal from one of the encoder heads.

Abstract: A light guide sensor includes a light source, a light guide member comprising a core which guides light radiated from the light source, a cladding formed around the core, and at least one detecting portion is formed, and a light receiving unit which receives the light that has been guided by the member and has passed via the detecting portion. The detecting portion includes a first opening formed by removal in the outer circumference of the member so that at least part of the cladding is left by a thickness such as not to transmit the light from the core, and a second opening formed within the range of the first opening to transmit the light from the core. A method of forming such a light guide sensor is provided.

Abstract: A fiber sensor includes a light source, and an optical fiber having flexibility to guide light emitted from the light source. The optical fiber has at least one light characteristics conversion portion. The fiber sensor also includes a light-receiving unit to receive the light guided by the optical fiber, and an identification unit having a unique shape on an outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber as compared with a round shape. The identification unit is formed to have a shape enabling at least one of an installation position and posture of the light characteristics conversion portion provided on the optical fiber to be identified.