Abstract: A process and device for determining absolute position by means of two coupled individual sensors which in the measuring range generate saw tooth-shaped output signals with a number of periods (k1 and k2) varying by “1,” and use of a third sensor, which in the measuring range also generates a saw tooth-shaped output signal with a third number of periods (k3) in which k3 differs from k1 and k2 by the absolute value ½. If the first or second sensor fails, a differential signal is generated between the output signal of the remaining functional sensor and the third sensor.

Abstract: A position sensor to determine the absolute position of an object features a rotary position sensor with a tooth gear, which is resiliently and elastically tensioned against a toothing on the moving object.

Abstract: An expert system and method for assisting an operator in analyzing an embroidery design which will be used by an embroidery machine to create an embroidered fabric. A knowledge base of parameters relates to embroidery designs. A rules base of rules interrelates the parameters. Selection software designates defined parameters. Analysis software applies the rules to defined parameters and generates recommended parameters as a function of the defined parameters. Comments, photographs or multimedia presentations may be provided to the operator associated with one or more of the parameters. Display software provides a display of the selected parameter, the defined parameter, the one or more recommended parameters and comments, photographs, or multimedia presentations which are a function of the parameters.

Abstract: The angle detector for measuring an angle of rotation contains a first sensor having a first angle of rotation measurement range and a second sensor having a larger measurement range. The first sensor is highly accurate and generates a quite linear output signal, while second sensor is less accurate and, in particular, generates a less linear output signal. The second sensor here supplies an auxiliary signal, which is used only to determine the period of its output signal in which first sensor is currently located. The first sensor is preferably a magnetoresistive rotary field sensor of the anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) type, while the second sensor relies on the giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the absolute position of displacement and angle transmitters. Two individual sensors are mechanically coupled to one another in such a way that they generate sawtooth output signals with a number of periods that differ by one within a predetermined measuring range. In a first step, a difference signal is formed from the output signals of both sensors and, if negative, is corrected by a constant value. A period number signal is obtained from the corrected difference signal by deriving an integer. This period number signal and the output signal of one sensor are added to form a highly accurate, absolute output signal. Since the absolute output signal still contains errors, an auxiliary signal is formed from the absolute output signal and the modified, corrected difference signal. A window discriminator determines whether the auxiliary signal lies within a predetermined limiting range. If not, the absolute output signal is corrected by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Position sensor having two pairs of flux-concentrating pieces, arranged in succession along a shifting direction of a permanent magnet. The pieces form a primary air gap in which the magnet may be linearly shifted and form a working air gap in which a Hall probe is arranged. To eliminate the influence of foreign magnetic fields in the axial direction, the Hall probe is arranged in the working air gap so that its direction of measuring sensitivity is perpendicular to the shifting direction of the magnet.

Abstract: A process and device for determining absolute position by means of two coupled individual sensors which in the measuring range generate saw tooth-shaped output signals with a number of periods (k1 and k2) varying by “1,” and use of a third sensor, which in the measuring range also generates a saw tooth-shaped output sign with a third number of periods (k3) in which k3 differs from k1 and k2 by the absolute value ½. If the first or second sensor fails, a differential signal is generated between the output signal of the remaining functional sensor and the third sensor.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for determining the phase angle in position transmitters with sinusoidal output signals utilizes a sensor that generates a sinusoidal signal U.sub.0 (.alpha.)=A sin .alpha. and a cosinusoidal signal U.sub.1 (.alpha.)=A cos .alpha.. Linear combinations U.sub.2 =U.sub.0 +U.sub.1 and U.sub.3 =U.sub.1 -U.sub.0 are formed, and the quadrant is determined in a cyclic binary code q.sub.1 q.sub.0 by examining the preceding signs of these signals. Depending on the quadrant, a division U.sub.2 /U.sub.1 or U.sub.2 /U.sub.0 is carried out. The result of this division serves as the address for inquiring a stored angle table. Initially, the analog track signals U.sub.0, U.sub.1 are converted into digital signals, and all additional calculations are carried out in purely digital fashion. During the integral division, the dividend is one of the linear combinations (U.sub.2), and the divisor is, depending on the determined quadrant, either the sinusoidal or the cosinusoidal track signal.