Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for implementing a radial sled printer device that substantially simplifies the complexity and reduces system costs and size for radial printing devices, both for devices that print and those that also record and print a label on circular media.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for implementing a radial sled printer device that substantially simplifies the complexity and reduces system costs and size for radial printing devices, both for devices that print and those that also record and print a label on circular media. In an embodiment, a print head is radially mounted in a substantially fixed position over a platter such that said platter moves as a sled under the print head for dispensing ink object along a radius or a line parallel to a radius as the media spins, effecting labeling of the media. In an alternate embodiment, a print head is radially mounted in a fixed position over an optical recording drive such that said drive moves as a sled under the print head for dispensing ink object along a radius as the media spins, affecting recording and labeling the media in a single insertion of the media.

Abstract: An encapsulated reflective sensor for use in conjunction with a code wheel for determining the motion and position of a shaft has a light emitting device and photodetector array contained within a transparent encapsulant. The encapsulant has a convex curved surface which prevents light from the light emitting device from impinging on the photodetector array. An emitter lens is formed by the convex curved surface between the light emitting device and the code wheel. The emitter lens magnifies and concentrates the light toward the code wheel. As the code wheel turns with the shaft, the light incident on the wheel is modulated and reflected toward the photodetector array. A second detector lens may be used between the code wheel and photodetector array for concentrating the modulated light reflected from the code wheel toward the photodetector array.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical encoder for use with various density code wheels. The encoder provides a geometric offset for a photodetector that is fully illuminated. A circuit offset is provided for a photodetector that is not illuminated. The encoder comprises a light source; a principal photodetector; a pair of secondary photodetectors on opposite edges, respectively, of the principal photodetector; and a code wheel having plural alternating windows and spokes which respectively transmit or block light from the light source. The code wheel is mounted between the light source and the photodetector. The principal photodetector has a unit width and a first length. The secondary photodetectors each have a half-unit width and a second length; the second length is less than the first length.

Abstract: An optical shaft angle encoder has a plurality of active photodiodes in an array on a semiconductor chip. A rotary code wheel has alternating areas for alternately illuminating or not illuminating the active photodiodes in response to the rotation of the wheel. Errors in the duty cycle involving the end active photodiodes in the array are largely avoided by having a plurality of inactive photodiodes at each end of the array with width and electrical properties effectively the same as the active photodiodes so that leakage current to each end active photodiode of the array is substantially equal to the leakage current to active photodiodes remote from the end of the array. Similarly, leakage current may affect the duty cycle of individual photodiodes may be minimized by surrounding the individual photodiodes with a reverse biased photodiode junction.

Abstract: An optical shaft angle encoder has a plurality of active photodiodes in an array on a semiconductor chip. A rotating code wheel has alternating areas for alternately illuminating or not illuminating the active photodiodes in response to the rotation of the wheel. Errors in the duty cycle involving the end active photodiodes in the array are largely avoided by having a plurality of inactive photodiodes at each end of the array with width and electrical properties effectively the same as the active photodiodes so that leakage current to each end active photodiode of the array is substantially equal to the leakage current to active photodiodes remote from the end of the array. Similarly, leakage current which may affect the duty cycle of individual photodiodes may be minimized by surrounding the individual photodiodes with a reverse biased photodiode junction.

Abstract: A joystick attachment for a computer keyboard which includes a bracket on which is supported a housing for a joystick assembly, the bracket being detachably mounted on a computer keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in a rectangular array with the joystick assembly in over lying, spaced-apart relationship with the array, the joystick assembly including an upstanding handle projecting upwardly through an opening in the housing and supported on the bracket for universal pivotal movement together with a plurality of circumferentially spaced actuating arms each operatively associated with one of said keys and movable selectively by the handle against a yieldable member from an inoperative position into an operative position into an operative position for depressing engagement by the arm with an associated key in the array.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sealed touch type switch of minimal dimensions adapted for ease of assembly into an electrical device. A flexible membrane with a conductive layer providing a depressible upper contact, an insulating and spacing member and optionally a stationary lower contact are preassembled in a sandwich construction, the flexible contact membrane and the insulating and spacing member having integral stem portions bonded together to define an insulated lead adapted to be bent for ease of final assembly. The switch may have a thickness as small as 0.010 inch and a diameter as small as 0.100--0.200 inch.