Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical encoder device is provided with an optical encoder to detect codewheel/codestrip positions; a housing to accommodate the optical encoder; a first tapered guidepost protruding from a sidewall of the optical encoder housing; and a second tapered guidepost protruding from the sidewall of the optical encoder housing and extending substantially parallel to the first tapered guidepost. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a code strip having a first side, a second side, a first track comprising indicia thereon, and a second track comprising indicia thereon. The code strip is moveable along a displacement path with respect to the optical encoder. A light source positioned on the first side of the code strip directs light toward the code strip. A first detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the first track of the code strip. A second detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the second track of the code strip. The second detector element is also positioned so that the second detector element is located a spaced distance along the displacement path from the first detector element.

Abstract: An optical encoder module is employed to detect light modulated by a moveable member (e.g., code wheel). The optical encoder includes an emitter having a light-emitting element, and a transparent medium encapsulating the light-emitting element. The transparent medium has a convex aspherical external surface shaped so as to focus light received from the light-emitting element into a substantially collimated beam of light using a single refractive interface for illuminating the movable member. The optical encode module also includes a detector facing the emitter for detecting modulated light of the collimated beam transmitted through the movable member.

Abstract: An encoder for measuring the position of a rotating shaft is disclosed. The encoder includes a drum having an encoding track thereon and a detector module having a light source and a photodetector. The drum includes a cylindrical surface characterized by an axis, the drum having a surface with a normal perpendicular to the axis. The encoding track includes a plurality of alternating reflective and non-reflective stripes arranged on the cylindrical surface. The first light source illuminates the stripes at an opaque angle relative to the normal. The first photodetector is positioned to receive light from the light source that is reflected from the reflective stripes when the drum moves relative to the photodetector. In one embodiment, the drum rotates about the axis when the shaft rotates. The encoding track can be either on the inside or outside of the drum.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a code strip having a first side, a second side, a first track comprising indicia thereon, and a second track comprising indicia thereon. The code strip is moveable along a displacement path with respect to the optical encoder. A light source positioned on the first side of the code strip directs light toward the code strip. A first detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the first track of the code strip. A second detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the second track of the code strip. The second detector element is also positioned so that the second detector element is located a spaced distance along the displacement path from the first detector element.

Abstract: Reflective image encoder. A reflective image encoder has an emitter such as one or more light emitting diodes, a diffuse reflective coder such as a code wheel or code strip reflecting a portion of the light from the emitter, an imaging lens forming an inverted image on to a detector. The reflective image encoder may include apertures on either or both sides of the imaging lens, and may include baffles to minimize stray light reaching the detector.

Abstract: An optical encoder module includes a housing that includes at least one recess having an open end and an opposite closed end, and an electrical component accommodated within the recess. A first locking member is formed on the electrical component and a second locking member is formed in the housing. The first and second locking members are engaged with each other for locking the electrical component, when inserted into said recess, into a locking position. At least one resiliently compressible protrusion is provided between the electrical component and the closed end of the recess so as to be resiliently compressed therebetween into its compressed state when the electrical component is locked in the recess in its locking position.

Abstract: An optical encoder device is provided with an optical encoder for detecting codewheel/codestrip positions, an optical encoder housing for accommodating the optical encoder, a first tapered guidepost protruding from a sidewall of the optical encoder housing, the first guidepost having a star-shaped cross-section and being arranged adjacent to the optical encoder, and a second tapered guidepost protruding form the sidewall of the optical encoder housing and extending substantially parallel to the first guidepost, the second guidepost having a diamond-shaped cross-section and being arranged remote from the optical encoder.

Abstract: An input device comprising a fixed light source, a plurality of light detectors surrounding the light source, and a member comprising reflective surface portions slidably mounted above the light source. When the member is slid from a neutral position to one of a plurality of activating position, light from the light source is reflected by one of the reflective surface portions directly from the light source to an associated light detector.

Abstract: An optical encoder module is employed to detect light modulated by a moveable member (e.g., code wheel). The optical encoder includes an emitter having a light-emitting element, and a transparent medium encapsulating the light-emitting element. The transparent medium has a convex aspherical external surface shaped so as to focus light received from the light-emitting element into a substantially collimated beam of light using a single refractive interface for illuminating the movable member. The optical encode module also includes a detector facing the emitter for detecting modulated light of the collimated beam transmitted through the movable member.

Abstract: An optical encoder module includes a housing that includes at least one recess having an open end and an opposite closed end, and an electrical component accommodated within the recess. A first locking member is formed on the electrical component and a second locking member is formed in the housing. The first and second locking members are engaged with each other for locking the electrical component, when inserted into said recess, into a locking position. At least one resiliently compressible protrusion is provided between the electrical component and the closed end of the recess so as to be resiliently compressed therebetween into its compressed state when the electrical component is locked in the recess in its locking position.

Abstract: An optical encoder device (100) comprises an optical encoder for detecting codewheel/codestrip positions, an optical encoder housing of accommodating the optical encoder, a first tapered guidepost (103) protruding from a sidewall (102) of the optical encoder housing, said first guidepost (103) having a star-shaped cross-section and being arranged adjacent to the optical encoder, and a second tapered guidepost (104) protruding from the sidewall (102) of the optical encoder housing and extending substantially parallel to the first guidepost (103), said second guidepost (104) having a diamond-shaped cross-section and being arranged remote from the optical encoder.

Abstract: An optical motion encoder for translation of movement information into a digital output. The optical encoder includes an optical member having a parabolic reflecting surface and a planar surface with a code pattern printed thereon. The light rays received by the parabolic reflecting surface from a light source positioned on the axis of symmetry of the parabolic reflecting surface are reflected as parallel light rays through the planar surface to be modulated by the code pattern and detected by a light detector. In this way, both, the collimator and the code wheel or code strip of prior art optical encoders are represented by a single optical member.

Abstract: An input device comprising a fixed light source, a plurality of light detectors surrounding the light source, and a member comprising reflective surface portions slidably mounted above the light source. When the member is slid from a neutral position to one of a plurality of activating position, light from the light source is reflected by one of the reflective surface portions directly from the light source to an associated light detector.

Abstract: An input device comprising a fixed light source, a plurality of light detectors surrounding the light source, and a member comprising reflective surface portions slidably mounted above the light source. When the member is slid from a neutral position to one of a plurality of activating position, light from the light source is reflected by one of the reflective surface portions directly from the light source to an associated light detector.

Abstract: An optical motion encoder for translation of movement information into a digital output. The optical encoder includes an optical member having a parabolic reflecting surface and a planar surface with a code pattern printed thereon. The light rays received by the parabolic reflecting surface from a light source positioned on the axis of symmetry of the parabolic reflecting surface are reflected as parallel light rays through the planar surface to be modulated by the code pattern and detected by a light detector. In this way, both, the collimator and the code wheel or code strip of prior art optical encoders are represented by a single optical member.