Abstract: An electronic apparatus for, and method of operation of, three dimensional viewing glasses that reduces the perception of flicker by an viewer of three dimensional images on a broadcast television or similar visual display device. The invention can be implemented with a variety of electronic circuit components and different electronic shutter materials. The invention has the primary benefits of: (a) operation with any of the national television broadcast standards in various countries around the world (such as NTSC or PAL); (b) low cost; (c) no viewer adjustment or control required for operation; and (d) useable with a variety of optical transmission materials as shutters, including liquid crystal, ferro-magnetic, and other similar materials, in the three dimensional viewer glasses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding two cameras on a single mount for stereo graphic imaging with controls for: (a) the synchronous convergence of the optical line of focus of both cameras at a single point at a desired distance; (b) the adjustment of the position of the image focal plane in one camera with respect to the image focal plane in the other camera such that the two cameras are correctly focused on the same image; (c) the adjustment of the spacing between the two cameras such as to mimic the average distance between human eyes; and (d) adjustment of the two cameras such that the two cameras, while being converged, rotate around the same image (nodal) point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the control of laser beams in real time synchronization with the control of multi-axis machines that position laser beams in two or three dimensional space, including the positioning of a laser beam with respect to the object(s) to be affected, the timing of when the laser is turned on and off, and the amount of laser light produced when the laser is on. The apparatus consists of digital electronic circuitry to control the laser and the motion of each axis in a multi-axis machine. The digital electronic circuitry synchronizes the laser operation with the multi-axis movement by means of real time digital electronic synchronization signals between the motion control circuitry and the laser control circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring in real time the rotational or linear position, direction or velocity of a rotating or linear moving body, particularly an encoded optical disk or strip attached to such rotating or linear moving body. A position measurement pattern comprising a plurality of spaced apart rows of “lands” and “pits” are included on the encoded disk or strip. A position read head with a plurality of laser beams is positioned to reflect laser light off the position measurement pattern on the disk or strip. The relative spacing of the laser beams on the position read head is adjusted to a non-integral multiple of the spacing of the rows. Output signals from the position read head are generated according to reflected laser light from the position measurement pattern which is detected by the error read head. The output signals are converted to position, direction and velocity information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the reduction of the effects of resonant mechanical waves that exert clockwise or counterclockwise forces that act upon the output shaft of a stepper motor such that the dynamic relationship between the stator and rotor in a stepper motor is adversely affected, thereby reducing torque or even stalling the stepper motor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring in real time the rotational or linear position, direction or velocity of a rotating or linear moving body, particularly an encoded optical disk or strip attached to such rotating or linear moving body. A position measurement pattern comprising a plurality of spaced apart rows of "lands" and "pits" are included on the encoded disk or strip. A position read head with a plurality of laser beams is positioned to reflect laser light off the position measurement pattern on the disk or strip. The relative spacing of the laser beams on the position read head is adjusted to a non-integral multiple of the spacing of the rows. Output signals from the position read head are generated according to reflected laser light from the position measurement pattern which is detected by the error read head. The output signals are converted to position, direction and velocity information.

Abstract: A variable voltage power supply in which multiple, independent, variable voltage direct current power supply circuits are connected in parallel to a single secondary transformer winding without simultaneously loading the transformer secondary. Each power supply circuit is controlled by a logic circuit that gates a power FET which, in turn, delivers current to a storage capacitor from a full wave rectifier on the transformer secondary winding. By controlling when the FET is "on" in relation to the AC input waveform, the voltage to which the storage capacitor is charged can be regulated and simultaneous loading of the transformer secondary eliminated.

Abstract: An H-Bridge motor controller having a floating, electrically isolated high side FET driver design where the motor driver circuity is electrically isolated from the logic circuitry. Back EMF generation during motor operation is minimized by employing a "fifth" power transistor to the H-Bridge that connects the motor coil to ground when the other transistors in the H-Bridge are turned off, so as to provide a direct path for the unused energy to be removed from the driver circuit without interfering with the normal switching of the FETs. Alternatively, back EMF generation is minimized by applying switching signals to the H-Bridge where, instead of turning the low side FET drivers between motor clocks, the low side FET drivers are both turned on during the "off time" period, so as to connect both ends of the motor coil to ground during the "off" period, thereby draining the coil of unused energy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring in real time the eccentric error of a rotating body, particularly an encoded optical disk. An eccentricity measurement pattern comprising a plurality of concentric spaced apart diffraction rings are included on an encoded disk. An error read head with a plurality of laser beams is positioned to reflect laser light off the eccentricity measurement pattern on the disk. The relative radial spacing of the laser beams on the error read head is adjusted to a non-integral multiple of the radial spacing of the diffraction rings. Output signals from the error read head are generated according to reflected laser light from the eccentricity measurement pattern which is detected by the error read head. The output signals are converted to count and direction information.