Abstract: A method and system to measure a parameter associated with a component, device, or system with a specified accuracy, including: providing one or more sensors operably disposed to detect the parameter; obtaining a coarse measurement of the parameter within a first range using the one or more sensors, wherein the first range includes minimum and maximum values for the parameter; obtaining a fine measurement of the parameter within a second range using the one or more sensors, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range and has a specified ratio to the first range that provides the specified accuracy; determining a current value of the parameter by combining the coarse and fine measurements; and providing the current value of the parameter to a communications interface, a storage device, a display, a control panel, a processor, a programmable logic controller, or an external device.

Abstract: A method and system to measure a parameter associated with a component, device, or system with a specified accuracy, including: providing one or more sensors operably disposed to detect the parameter; obtaining a coarse measurement of the parameter within a first range using the one or more sensors, wherein the first range includes minimum and maximum values for the parameter; obtaining a fine measurement of the parameter within a second range using the one or more sensors, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range and has a specified ratio to the first range that provides the specified accuracy; determining a current value of the parameter by combining the coarse and fine measurements; and providing the current value of the parameter to a communications interface, a storage device, a display, a control panel, a processor, a programmable logic controller, or an external device.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a first material engaging work implement includes a first machine, a second machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to store a kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, determine a second machine operation zone, with the second machine operation zone being defined by a material movement plan of the second machine, and determine a current pose of the first machine. The controller is further configured to determine a first machine operation zone based upon the pose of the first machine, the kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, and the second machine operation zone, with the first machine operation zone being spaced from the second machine operation zone, and generate a plurality of command signals to move the first material engaging work implement within the first machine operation zone between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high voltage connector in which an interlock terminal and a power connection terminal to which a high voltage is applied are sequentially connected or disconnected by rotation, thereby minimizing the size of the connector and allowing a user to check whether each of the terminals is connected or not.

Abstract: A multiturn rotary encoder includes: a single-turn unit, including a code carrier and a single-turn evaluation unit for processing single-turn position signals to form a single-turn code word; a first multiturn unit, including at least one first multiturn code carrier and a first multiturn evaluation unit for processing first multiturn position signals to form a first multiturn code word that indicates the number of revolutions covered by input shaft; and a second multiturn unit, including at least one second multiturn code carrier and a second multiturn evaluation unit for processing second multiturn position signals to form a second multiturn code word that likewise indicates the number of revolutions covered by the input shaft. The functioning of the multiturn units is ascertainable by the multiturn code words generated independently of each other.

Abstract: An encoder failure detector system and method for detecting failure of an encoder during time periods when a zero rotational speed is expected. For example, in one embodiment a test signal is applied during a period when a zero rotational speed is expected and a failure is indicated if no movement of a rotor is detected in response to the test signal.

Abstract: An operating element with a settable operating characteristic for generating numerical control values A converts position signals P corresponding to the position of a linear sensor element into control values A using an assignment characteristic curve. Different assignment characteristic curves can be selected by means of a control quantity K. An arrangement for processing video or audio signals processes input signals Sin accordance with a function Sout (A, Sin). The numerical control values A are fed by means of an operating element to the arrangement for processing video or audio signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for placing a controlled device into a desired operating state in response to the position of a multi-position actuator. Two or more switch contacts provide input signals representative of the position of the actuator. Control logic then determines the desired state for the controlled device based upon the input signals received. The desired operating state is determined from any number of operating states defined by the input values. In various embodiments, ternary switching may be used in combination with binary switching to efficiently implement multi-state rotary or linear switches capable of identifying six, twelve, eighteen or any other number of switchable states.

Abstract: A position-measuring circuit is described for use with an analog position encoder of the kind comprising a code member and at least two sensors for sensing successive marks on the code member during relative movement between the code member and sensors, the sensors providing two oscillating quadrature signals. The circuit comprising means for obtaining a relatively coarse measure of position by detecting successive instants t0–t3 at which the amplitudes of the sensor signals are equal or at which the amplitude of one signal is equal to the inverse of the amplitude of the other signal. The amplitude of one of the signals or its inverse is stored at each detection instant to alternately establish relatively high and low threshold levels. A fine measure of position at an arbitrary instant T is obtained as a function of the instantaneous amplitude P of one of the signals and the difference between neighbouring high and low thresholds levels.

Abstract: A multiturn angle measuring device (1) with a first dimensional standard (9) that is non-rotatably connected to an input shaft (2) and which is sampled by a first scanning unit (10) to determine the angular position of the input shaft. Additional dimensional standards (11, 12, 13) measure the number of turns of the input shaft (2) and are arranged in parallel to each other. The rotational speed of each additional dimensional standard (11, 12, 13) is reduced by means of a reduction gearing from the preceding dimensional standard (9, 11, 12). A scanning device (21, 22, 23) for the sampling of each dimensional standard (11, 12, 13) is arranged on a circuit board (6).

Abstract: An optical control device includes a drive member formed with a plurality of reflecting regions along a second track and movable along the second track for driving a driven member to move along a first track. An optical unit emits a light beam that is incident upon an aligned reflecting region, and receives a light beam that was reflected by the aligned reflecting region to generate an electrical output. A controller determines actual positions of the drive member on the second track and the driven member on the first track, and controls the drive member to move along the second track so as to dispose the driven member at a desired position on the first track.

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 photoconductive encoder structure has a grating cogwheel made of light-pervious materials, a sensor and two luminescence elements perpendicular to each other. An incident surface of the grating cogwheel surrounds a protruding surface, and protruding wheel parts divided in equal arc-shapes surround the grating cogwheel for focusing light from a light source by the protruding surface of the grating cogwheel. Moreover, the light is refracted to the corresponding protruding wheel parts for focusing again. Finally, the light is transmitted to the sensor to generate different phase sequence signals. Owing to the structure, a number of cogs surrounding a grating cogwheel is increased, and, at the same time, the structure does not affect convenience in the production process.

Abstract: A high performance rotary axis. An upper and lower unit are coupled together by a pair of bearings to permit relative rotation between the units. The bearings are biased relative to others along a link to reduce play between the bearings. A processor and sensor provide for detection of relative positions between the units. A floating stop may be provided to permit rotation about the axis in greater than 360°.

Abstract: An encoder that includes a sensing device that senses encoding marks on a sensing surface that also includes one or more reference marks. The sensing device generates first and second encoder signals when the encoding marks pass the sensing device. The encoding signals define the direction of motion and degree of movement of the sensing surface. A register stores the position of the encoding surface relative to the sensing device. A controller receives the first and second encoder signals and increments or decrements the digital register based on the received first and second encoder signals. The encoder also includes a reference mark detector that generates a first reference mark signal when the first reference mark passes the reference mark detector. The controller resets the digital value to a first reference value when the encoder receives the first reference mark signal.

Abstract: In a multiturn rotary encoder, a first code disk is arranged with an input shaft for detecting the angular position of the input shaft within one rotation. To detect the number of rotations of the input shaft, a multiturn part is provided with further code disks in the form of magnet bodies which are driven geared down. A printed circuit board having detector devices for scanning the first code disk and the magnet bodies is positioned between the first code disk and the multiturn part. The detector devices of the first code disk and of the magnet bodies are mounted on one common side of a printed circuit board which is opposite the first code disk.

Abstract: A multi-turn rotary encoder that includes a first code carrier connected with an input shaft, a scanning device that scans the first code carrier and generates an absolute position of the input shaft within one revolution, and a digital code word is present at an output of the scanning device and a second code carrier for measuring the number of revolutions of the input shaft. A reduction gear is arranged between and coupled to the first and second code carriers. The second code carrier includes a magnetic body with at least one north and south pole and a substrate with a spatial arrangement of sensor elements integrated therein, which are sensitive to magnetic fields, is associated with the magnetic body.

Abstract: An angular position/position encoder is provided for determining the position of a moving part through evaluation of the direction-specific changes in the measured values recorded and for serial output in binary form of the position determined in this way, wherein all changes in measured values are also added together, independent of the direction of movement, and then output as the result of the total distance or angle traveled.

Abstract: A method, a selector switch and selector device, is provided for secure position detection of a selector switch, which can be operated in at least two positions, particularly in a vehicle. In the method, a code word composed of a data part and a test part is assigned to each selector switch position. The code word is generated in each selector switch position by a number of switches corresponding to the number of bits of the code word. The data part already indicates an unambiguous selector switch position. In each code word, the test part is determined corresponding to a defined imaging rule from the data part. The test part generated by the switches is compared with the test part formed on the basis of the imaging rule from the data part, and, from a comparison of the two test parts, a conclusion is drawn with respect to a correct or erroneous position detection of the selector switch.

Abstract: An encoding device in which signals generated thereof can be efficiently propagated comprises a housing and a tracing ball rotatably arranged on said housing. An encoding assembly including a pair of encoding wheels is mechanically arranged adjacent to said tracing ball and driven by said tracing ball. Pairs of light emitters and receivers are arranged respectively to each encoding wheel. A gearing including first and second gears is arranged between the tracing ball and the encoding assembly. The teeth number of the first gear is smaller than the second gear, such that the rotations of the encoding wheel can be considerably increased.

Abstract: A rotary transmitter for registration of the steering angle of a motor vehicle, with a transmitter component (49) on which is provided a coding (51) of a predetermined number n of locally sequentially digital words (Wi) with a width of m bits (b1, b2, . . , Bm) in m adjacent to each other tracks, at least one detector (55) for essentially simultaneous registration of the individual bits (b1, b2, . . . , Bm) of a digital word (Wi), whereby the transmitter component (49) and at least the one detector (55) are movable relative to each other, and with an evaluation unit (11) to which is conducted the signal of at least the one detector (55). The evaluation unit (11) ascertains the absolute position of the transmitter component (49) relative to at least the one detector (55), at least one time, by evaluation of a predetermined number (p) of sequentially detected digital words (Wi), whereby the evaluation unit (11) assigns to a detected p-measure (Wi, Wi+1, . . .

Abstract: When the ball of a mouse is rotated, an up/down counter outputs a count N according to the direction of rotation and the amount of rotation. A controller compresses the count N to seven-bit data according to a conversion table. The controller also attaches L-button data indicating the state of the L button of the mouse to the most significant bit of the compressed seven-bit data. Then, the controller changes the bit positions of the eight-bit data, and reverses each bit value. The eight-bit data to be transferred has been thus completed. The controller sends bit by bit in series the data from a lower bit to a signal processing unit.

Abstract: An absolute linear encoder includes an index channel and at least two counter channels. The spacing between markings on the index channel is constant, and the spacing between markings on the first and second channels is predetermined so that the positions of the markings in the first and second channels vary so as to provide a unique signature for each position along the encoder. The linear encoder includes quadrature channels to provide increased resolution and to determine the direction of translation. The encoder is provided with a detector unit to detect positions of the markings in each channel, and a processing unit to calculate an absolute position from the detected marking positions. A method of producing the absolute linear encoder includes selecting spacings for markers in the quadrature, index, first and second channels in order to provide a desired resolution and encoder length.

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: A binary locally-initializing incremental position encoder (112) for determining the position of an object, i.e. a robot arm (102). The inventive position encoder (112) is adapted to be coupled to the object (102) and includes first, second, third and fourth gears (129, 130, 131 and 132, respectively). The gears are such that the positions thereof, representing the positions or states of the object, repeat at binary intervals. That is, the first gear (129) has a first number of teeth N.sub.1 and the second gear (130) has a second number of teeth N.sub.2. The second gear (130) is driven by the first gear (129) from a first position to a second position. The third gear (131) is mechanically coupled to and coaxial with the second gear (130). The third gear (131) has a third number of teeth N.sub.3 and is adapted for rotation in direct angular proportion to any rotation of the second gear (130). The fourth gear (132) has a fourth number of teeth N.sub.4 and is driven by the third gear (131).

Abstract: An elevator system (FIG. 1) employing a microprocessor-based group controller (FIG. 2 ) communicating with the cars (3, 4) using car position and velocity information provided by a "smart" primary position transducer (SPPT) system to control the motion of the cars and assign them to handle passenger demands. The SPPT includes an input shaft coupled to a primary encoder disk. Coupled to the shaft through gearing are one or more encoder disks (FIG. 7 ) performing the function of turns counting, as well as additional functions. Each disk contains multiple tracks, and each of these tracks is sensed by a sensor, or, alternatively, the SPPT may use two independent sensors per track. It is important to have two essentially independent means of performing the key sensing functions. The read heads of the SPPT are divided into primary and secondary sets with each set used to feed an independent processor.

Abstract: A position encoder includes a plurality of encoded elements or disks, each of which has indicia representative of a bit of a five bit digital word of a Gray code. Each disk is mechanically coupled to a lever or movable member. A sensor is positioned adjacent to each disk so that the sensors produce digital signals in response to the indicia. The indicia are arranged so that if only one bit of any word is changed, then the modified word will either be a) identical to a word representing an adjacent position of the lever, or b) different from all the words which represent lever positions.

Abstract: A position encoder for monitoring the position of a robot arm includes an incremental encoder section which can be initialized locally by an initialization section. The initialization section comprises three engaged encoder gears with relative prime number of teeth, e.g., 23, 24 and 25, so that respective index apertures of the gears precess with successive revolutions of the gears. Upon startup, the robot arm can be moved sufficiently for all three apertures to be detected so that their relative phase positions can be determined. The relative phases can be used to determine an absolute initialization position. Once this initialization position is determined, robot motions can be tracked using the incremental encoder section.

Abstract: An encoder for detecting the state of movement of a scale having a plurality of tracks consisting of arranged predetermined codes comprises first detecting device for reading the codes of the plurality of tracks and detecting data comprising a row of the codes, and second detecting device for detecting the state of movement of the codes of a particular track plurality of tracks to obtain more detailed data. The state of movement of the scale is detected on the basis of the signals from the first and second detecting devices.

Abstract: An encoder is rigidly mounted to a component shaft and allowed to float with it, saving the expense of a flexible coupling and improving accuracy. An easily assembled detent prevents rotation of the encoder housing with the shaft.

Abstract: A position detector is provided with an encoded element having indicia representative of a bit pattern of a pair of bits of a Gray code and a pair of sensors responsive to this indicia. The encoded element is capable of being mechanically coupled to a movable member and the sensors are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a shift in the bit pattern between two bits of the Gray code such that movement of the encoded element past the sensors is used to produce two bits of the Gray code. Additional encoded elements and sensors are used to produce additional bits of the Gray code.

Abstract: Bar codes are shown for measurement of volumes of liquids, e.g., the amount of milk collected in a dairy milking operation, and correlation therewith to identification of the source of the liquid, such as a cow. In the preferred embodiment, infrared or laser scanners are used to scan bar codes to provide an input to a computer for correlating the container or the source of liquid with the volume of liquid, whereby complex volume measuring devices and operator measurements can be substantially eliminated. Similar techniques can be used to provide computer input data representing a wide variety of analog inputs; e.g., by providing a bar code scale for juxtaposition to a thermometer, the segments of the code along the scale being selected in accordance with the mercury level at a given temperature, simple analog-to-digital temperature data conversion and input is obtained. Methods and apparatus for providing machine-readability for a number of differing types of analog instrumentation are described.

Abstract: A rotary encoder having first and second slit disks are disposed between a light emitting diode and a light sensor coaxially in proximity to each other, the two slit disks each having a large number of slits formed radially at equal intervals in a peripheral edge portion of the disks, the first slit disk being connected to and rotated by a rotational shaft, and the second slit disk being rotated by interlocking gears in a direction opposite to that of the first disk.