Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided, some apparatuses comprise: a location controller separate from a motorized transport unit, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive communications from the motorized transport unit; a control circuit; a memory storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: obtain, from the communications, a unique light source identifier of a light source detected by the motorized transport unit, and relative distance information determined by the motorized transport unit through an optical measurement; process the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information relative to a mapping of the shopping facility; and determine, in response to the processing, a location of the motorized transport unit within the shopping facility as a function of the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information.

Abstract: Apparatuses, components and methods are provided herein useful to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance system comprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality of user interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorized transport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the plurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of user interface units, wherein the central computer system is configured to control movement of the plurality of motorized transport units through the shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the plurality of user interface units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided, some apparatuses comprise: a location controller separate from a motorized transport unit, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive communications from the motorized transport unit; a control circuit; a memory storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: obtain, from the communications, a unique light source identifier of a light source detected by the motorized transport unit, and relative distance information determined by the motorized transport unit through an optical measurement; process the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information relative to a mapping of the shopping facility; and determine, in response to the processing, a location of the motorized transport unit within the shopping facility as a function of the at least one unique light source identifier and the relative distance information.

Abstract: A first reference pattern has a plurality of patterns, which are arranged periodically in a measurement axis direction and have the same width in the measurement axis direction. The plurality of patterns have the respective different pitches. At least one of the plurality of patterns is smaller in pitch than a first main signal pattern. A second sensor has a plurality of detection regions which are in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of patterns of the first reference pattern. An addition calculating section calculates an addition signal by adding up output signals of the plurality of detection regions. A square calculating section calculates a squared signal from the addition signal. A judging section outputs a reference signal for determination of a reference position according to signal levels of the squared signal.

Abstract: A method for determining two pseudo-sinusoidal signals in quadrature from a pseudo-sinusoidal signal transmitted by an encoder is provided. The method using a sensor arranged within reading distance of the encoder, which sensor includes at least four sensing elements which are linearly equally distributed. The sensing elements are each capable of delivering a signal Si representative of the signal transmitted by the encoder. The method measuring the signals Si and combining the signals Si in order to form the signals U=(S1?S2)?(S3?S4) and V=(S2?S3), which signals U and V are in quadrature. A system for determining by implementing such a method, as well as a bearing including such a determination system, are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method (700) of creating a security document (310), the method comprising the steps of encoding the document (310) with a first set (309) of protection marks containing information defining an absolute co-ordinate system (314) across the face of the document (310), and encoding the document (310) with a second set (302) of protection marks containing information that (i) identifies at least one region (605) of the document (310) according to the co-ordinate system (314) and (ii) defines at least one security attribute of the content within the defined region (605), wherein the first (309) and second (302) sets of protection marks are intermixed across the face of the document (310) and are used together to determine the location of the defined region (605) within the document.

Abstract: In a 3GPP standards Release 6 UMTS system, in order to avoid searching at NodeB for a maximum E-DPCCH-associated metric at discrete possible valid index values, or over disjoint possible valid index regions, at the UE the three different sources of information, the fixed number bits that comprise the RSN, TFI and the H-bit components of the E-DPCCH bit field, are mapped so that the decimal equivalents of the possible E-DPCCH indices lie within a continuous range of values.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is attachable/detachable to/from a main body of an image forming apparatus. A code pattern is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the toner container and can be read by a photosensor or a mechanical switch. The code pattern includes a first pattern string which is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner container along an insertion direction and in which a first and a second patterns respectively indicating different binary levels are alternately arranged at a specified period, and a second pattern string which is provided to be shifted from the first pattern string in the insertion direction by almost a half period and in which the plural first patterns and the plural second patterns are combined and are arranged.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relating to an encoder are disclosed.

Abstract: Merging a codec with a digital media file, including receiving, by a digital media provider from a playback device through a data communications network, a request for the digital media file, the digital media file comprising digital media content encoded by a codec, identifying, by the digital media provider, the codec by which the digital media content was encoded, inserting, by the digital media provider, the codec into the digital media file, distributing the digital media file with the inserted codec to the playback device through the data communications network. Playing a digital media file on a playback device, including receiving the digital media file in the playback device, extracting the codec from within the digital media file, installing, by the playback device, the codec for operation on the playback device, and decoding, by the playback device through the codec, the digital media content for playback on the playback device.

Abstract: Method for coding at least one datum using three digital signals A, B, C delivered on respectively one channel, in which the third signal C is delivered by a combination of the first two signals A, B in order to form m binary triplets, where m<8. The method provides for modifying the third signal C according to the data to be coded in order to generate n binary triplets, where n>1, the n triplets being different from the m triplets. A device for determining the absolute angular position of a turning member is described.

Abstract: In an absolute angle detection apparatus, sectors are obtained by dividing 360° by an even number, each sector having combinations of first and second code lines. The first code lines are Gray codes including third code lines that do not appear the same even when a digit from which they are read is changed and fourth code lines that appear the same when a digit from which they are read is changed. The first code lines at adjacent steps and the first code lines at the first and last steps differ from each other at one bit. Each first code line is shifted by one digit at every predetermined number of steps, and the first code line without shift is obtained when the first code line corresponding to the maximum shift is further shifted by one digit. The second code lines identify the fourth code lines.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods of a multi-mode encoder output generator are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining absolute value of a rotational angle includes imaging a segment of a code track onto a sensor such that the sensor generates a corresponding output signal. The track includes a code in the form of a light and dark transition pattern over an angular range. The code contains code words with each code word corresponding to a respective angular value. The code word of the imaged segment is determined from the position of the transitions in the output signal to determine the angular value of the imaged segment. The position of the transitions in the output signal is compared with a reference curve to determine position deviations between the output signal and the reference signal. The reference curve represents the transitions expected in the output signal in the absence of unwanted mechanical influences. The unwanted mechanical influences are determined as a function of the determined deviations.

Abstract: An absolute angle detecting device is provided. The absolute angle detecting device is composed of a first detecting element group that outputs a Gray code string for angle detection that detects a rotating angle in one sector of the multi-rotation body at required resolution, a second detecting element group and a third detecting element group that outputs a first and a second Gray code strings for sector identification. A rotating angle within one rotation (360 degrees) is detected by the Gray code for angle detection while setting one rotation of the multi-rotation body to one sector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absolute angle detecting device capable of achieving a resolution of 1.5 degrees or less by which 360 degrees can be divided without a remainder, using two code pattern rows and eight detecting elements. The absolute angle detecting device comprises a rotary disk 1; a first code pattern row 2 and a second code pattern row 3, each provided on the circumference whose center is the center of rotation O of the rotary disk 1; a first detecting element group 10 consisting of five detecting elements 4 to 8 that are arranged at equal intervals opposite to the first code pattern row 2; and a second detecting element group 14 consisting of three detecting elements 11 to 13 that are arranged at equal intervals opposite to the second code pattern row 3. Both a gray code obtained by combining five codes supplied from the first detecting element group 10 and a gray code obtained by combining three codes supplied from the second detecting element group 14 are cyclic codes.

Abstract: A position detection apparatus including a detection unit for an absolute track including a plural number of ABS heads for absolute track, in which the separation between neighboring heads is broadened. The n ABS heads 10-1 to 10-n are arrayed to satisfy the following equations 1 and 2 when n is an even number and the following equations 1 and 3 when n is an odd number: &lgr;1=m&lgr;, m being an integer not less than 2  (1) &lgr;1≠k(2n/2+1)&lgr;, k being a natural number  (2) &lgr;1≠k(2n+1)&lgr;  (3). By arraying the ABS heads 10-1 to 10-n under these conditions, the separation between neighboring ones of the ABS heads 10-1 to 10-n can be 2&lgr; or larger.

Abstract: A method for detecting an absolute rotational position of an electromechanical device or the at least one component thereof comprising determining a first absolute position of the electromechanical device or the at least one component thereof based on a commutation index signal, obtaining a Z-index signal, and determining a second absolute position of the electromechanical device or the at least one component thereof based on the Z-index signal. The method initially determines a coarse rotational position of the electromechanical device such as a rotor or steering wheel based on the commutation index signal. When a device's position is first initialized by a commutation index signal before the Z-index pulse is detected, the device's position is re-initialized upon detection of the Z-Index pulse to provide a more accurate absolute device rotational position.

Abstract: A variety of methods and systems for presenting and delivering user application input choices. One-handed or vocal user input provides chords or syllables. The invention includes systems and methods for presenting user application input choices, chord or syllable based apparatus and sub-systems for generating user application input choices in response to input signals associated with chords or syllables. One embodiment of input device resembles a joystick and includes a base and a key carrier extending from the base. A single key is provided along the top of the carrier, and four keys extend widthwise along a side surface. A system presents and delivers user application input choices. An input device receives chords and syllables. A processor associated with the input device receives chords or syllables and generates input signals, a second processor for receiving and evaluating the input signals and for sending a user application signal to the user application processor of the computer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed herein that compensate for print engine and encoder expansion or contraction in a printing device. An embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention for use in a printing device having a print engine and an encoder that indicates where the print engine should print on a print medium, includes a first target on the encoder and a second target on the encoder. The apparatus also includes a first sensor configured to output a first signal upon detection of the first target and a second sensor configured to output a second signal upon detection of the second target. The apparatus additionally includes a computing device coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor and the print engine, which is configured to determine a difference between receipt of the first signal and the second signal, and to adjust when the print engine prints on the print medium based on this difference.

Abstract: A timing apparatus comprises a gear, for example a camshaft gear, and a timing ring secured to one side of the gear. The timing ring has a number of equally spaced timing teeth which when used with a sensor provide information about the rotation of the gear. The gear has a generally cylindrical recess on one face of the gear, and the timing ring is secured within the recess. The timing teeth are arranged radially inwardly of the gear teeth, so that the timing teeth are protected from damage. The resulting timing apparatus is economic to manufacture and facilitates compact adaption to a rotating body of an engine.

Abstract: A rotor is fixed to a steering shaft to rotate with the steering shaft, and outer and inner slits are formed along different circles on the rotor. Outer and inner sensors, which detect the presence or absence of the slits, generate reflective codes and are located next to the rotor. Stored pattern data that matches the reflective code is used to determine the rotational angle. Alternatively, if the pattern data does not match the reflective codes, the rotational angle of the steering shaft is computed on the basis of the reflective codes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotation detecting device of a multi-rotation body, in which a code plate of an incremental encoder is fixedly mounted to a first rotor which is rotatably supported on a housing; a small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first rotor; and furthermore a pair of engaging projections are formed on both sides of a clearance groove formed in the large-diameter portion. A rotating ring is mounted on the inside bottom surface of the housing; on the rotating ring is formed a driven gear through a range of about 90 degrees, and a shield plate is erected in a position corresponding to the driven gear. Five photo-interrupters are arranged astride the shield plate on the path of rotation of the rotating ring, so that the position of the rotating ring can be detected by the ON/OFF operation of the photo-interrupters. On the housing an intermediate gear is rotatably supported, and is in constant mesh with the driven gear.

Abstract: A pseudorandom sequence is bidirectionally synthesized for any arbitrary encoding resolution. The synthesis of such a pseudorandom sequence includes providing within the sequence a conventionally disallowed code (e.g., an all zeroes or an all ones code) and/or pinching out one or more codes of the pseudorandom sequence to provide a sequence that is other than a maximal length sequence. The synthesizing capability can be included in a decoder that accepts, as input, tags of an encoded pseudorandom sequence, and outputs therefrom the absolute positions of those tags.

Abstract: A barrier movement actuating receiver learns and responds to fixed code type access codes and rolling code type access code wherein the actuating receiver includes a programmer for programming the actuating receiver to accept fixed or rolling type access codes and includes a learning mode for enabling the programmer to add valid access codes to a memory. The receiver further includes a controller for identifying the type of access code received and a revised access code routine for learning both fixed codes and rolling codes. The controller can be set to execute the access code routine corresponding to the type of access code identified. After the first code is learned, all subsequent codes learned must be of the same type until the programmer is re-enabled.

Abstract: A code plate has an m-bit signal track read out in parallel for providing the starting position of an AC servo motor for commencing rotation when power is first turned ON. An n-bit signal track accompanied by an incremental signal track is provided on the code plate with the n-bit track read out serially, converted to pure binary in parallel, and used once rotation of the servo motor commences to provide the initial absolute value of the encoder. To this n-bit initial value is added signals from the incremental track upon continued rotation of the code plate.

Abstract: A sensor failure detection circuit for a position encoder, the sensor failure detection circuit receiving from a first set of at least one position sensor position signals which change state at a high resolution and from a second set of at least one position sensor position signals which change state at a lower resolution, the detection circuit monitoring a count for the position signals at the high resolution between states of the position signals at the lower resolution and comparing the count with a predetermined range which represents an expected count for the position signals at the high resolution between the states of the position signals at the lower resolution.

Abstract: An encoder includes a code plate, a detector, a transformer, and first and second calculators. The code plate is formed with an absolute pattern including a plurality of bit patterns, each bit pattern formed by a predetermined number of bits and representing one absolute position. The detector moves relatively with respect to the code plate, has a plurality of detecting elements arranged to be opposed to the predetermined number of bits, and reads the bit pattern from the absolute pattern to output a bit pattern signal representing the bit pattern. The transformer can transform only specific bit pattern signals corresponding to specific bit patterns out of a plurality of the bit pattern signals corresponding to the plurality of bit patterns, into the absolute positions. The first calculator calculates a relative, positional relation between the bit pattern corresponding to the bit pattern signal, read from the detector, and the specific bit pattern.

Abstract: A signal generating device has a pattern carrying unit with separated or connected patterns. Contact members of a signal reader make contact with the patterns and one of the patterns is selected for reading by a selector.

Abstract: Computer controlled numbering of consecutive business forms is provided for both computer controlled presses and in the form of a retrofit unit for conventional rotary presses. The retrofit unit includes a disk provided with radially oriented metallic strips of predetermined locations on the disk, and mounted on a suitable shaft of the press. The disk cooperates with a stationary transducer mounted, for example, on a stationary press wall to send signals to the control unit to fire the printer.

Abstract: A scale (110) having apertures representing a binary code (113A-113E) and other apertures (115, 116, 111) generating two compensation signals and moire fringes in cooperation with a mask (105) having tilted apertures (112A) is scanned by a light beam (101A), and the light beam which has passed through the aperture is detected, and an approximate position of the scale is detected by means of the binary code, then a precise position is detected by a signal of the moire fringes which is compensated on the basis of a predetermined algorithm (Table 1) specified by the compensation signals.

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.

Abstract: An optical encoding system for determining the absolute position of a movable member relative to a stationary member. For example, a bar-code scanner may be supported by a stationary member for scanning bar-code symbols in its field of view. An encoding band may be supported by the movable member so that a portion of the band is scanned by the bar-code scanner. Affixed to or otherwise marked on the band is a sequential series of bar-code symbols, each symbol encoding the absolute position of its location on the band. A bar-code decoding system, actuated by the signals produced by the bar-code scanner, decodes the bar-code symbol scanned by the scanner, and determines the absolute position of a movable member relative to the stationary member.