Abstract: A package comprises a body having a mounting surface so as to be mounted to an external surface, and a coil having at least 100 turns around a coil axis. A first end of the coil is oriented in a first direction substantially parallel to the mounting surface such that the first end is attachable to the external surface. The package includes a ferromagnetic element that extends along the coil axis such that the ferromagnetic element is magnetically coupled to the coil. The body is configured to house the coil and the ferromagnetic element.

Abstract: A package comprises a body having a mounting surface so as to be mounted to an external surface, and a coil having at least 100 turns around a coil axis. A first end of the coil is oriented in a first direction substantially parallel to the mounting surface such that the first end is attachable to the external surface. The package includes a ferromagnetic element that extends along the coil axis such that the ferromagnetic element is magnetically coupled to the coil. The body is configured to house the coil and the ferromagnetic element.

Abstract: An optical encoder is disclosed. Specifically, a reflective encoder is disclosed that includes an emitter configured to emit light, a first detector configured to receive a first portion of the light emitted by the emitter and convert the received first portion of the light into one or more electrical signals, the received first portion of the light at least one of passing through and being reflected by an optical track of a coding element. The reflective encoder also includes a second detector configured to receive second portion of the light emitted by the emitter and convert the received second portion of the light into one or more electrical signals, the emitter is positioned between the first detector and the second detector such that a first light path between the emitter and first detector is approximately a same distance as a second light path between the emitter and the second detector.

Abstract: A transmissive optical encoder is disclosed. The transmissive optical encoder includes a detector, a code wheel, and an emitter. The detector includes an aperture through the detector. The aperture is configured to receive a rotary shaft of a motor. The code wheel is coupled to the rotary shaft of the motor. Rotation of the rotary shaft results in corresponding rotation of the code wheel. The emitter is configured to emit a light signal through the code wheel toward the detector. Rotation of the code wheel results in modulation of the light signal at the detector. Embodiments of the transmissive optical encoder consume relatively little space and facilitate alignment of the emitter and detector.

Abstract: An optical encoder and optical encoding system are disclosed. Specifically, an encoder having a light detector elevated relative to a light source is described. The relative height difference between the light source and the light detector enables the optical encoder to minimize noise at the light detector without requiring a separate light baffle between the light source and light detector. Methods of manufacturing and operating such an encoder are also described.

Abstract: An optical encoder is disclosed. Specifically, a three-channel encoder is disclosed which utilizes a single track for all three channels. An index channel is provided on the same optical track as the first and second channels which are used to determine incremental angular position. Thus, a more compact and simple three-channel encoder is provided.

Abstract: An optical encoder and optical encoding system are disclosed. Specifically, an encoder having a light detector elevated relative to a light source is described. The relative height difference between the light source and the light detector enables the optical encoder to minimize noise at the light detector without requiring a separate light baffle between the light source and light detector. Methods of manufacturing and operating such an encoder are also described.

Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a dial, a coding element, and an encoder. The coding element is coupled to a dial. The coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections, each having a substantially oblique leading edge relative to a direction of movement of the coding element. The encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector detects a reflected light signal which corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal.

Abstract: An optical encoder is disclosed. Specifically, a three-channel encoder is disclosed which utilizes a single track for all three channels. An index channel is provided on the same optical track as the first and second channels which are used to determine incremental angular position. Thus, a more compact and simple three-channel encoder is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a reflective optical encoder package having a light emitter and a light detector disposed on an integrated circuit having an optically transparent glass layer disposed thereover. The package can be manufactured without resort to wirebonding techniques and instead can be made using wafer level packaging methods and materials. The package can also be made of lower profile or smaller footprint than many conventional optical encoder packages, and may be employed to sense or detect rotary or linear motion.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of high-speed, high-performance, low-noise optical encoders having various means for preventing undesired stray light from reaching light detectors incorporated therein. Structures employed to block stray light in the optical encoders include light barriers, air gap trenches, and coatings disposed between first and second sides of a substrate of the encoder. Also disclosed are compact single track optical encoders having a single dome lens disposed thereover, and dual track triple dome lens optical encoders. Methods of making such optical encoders are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor head for sensing light modulated by a moveable member, such as a code wheel or code strip, in an optical encoder. The sensor head has at least one monitor optical sensor and a primary optical sensor positioned to receive light modulated by a modulation track on the moveable member. The monitor optical sensor provides a monitor signal that is compared in a signal comparator to the output from the primary optical sensor to detect light at the primary sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a number of different embodiments of reflective multi-turn optical encoders with different light sensing systems. Three different basic configurations of reflective multi-turn optical encoder light sensing systems are disclosed herein: (a) optical encoders employing multiple arrays of light detectors; (b) optical encoders employing multiple arrays of stacked die light sensors, and (c) optical encoders employing variable tone density light sensing systems.

Abstract: Various embodiments of harmonic gear multi-turn encoders are disclosed that provide the ability to accurately sense absolute rotational positions over a wide range of rotational counts. High gear reduction ratios in each stage of the multi-turn encoders permit very small size and volume encoders to be provided, thereby opening up many new applications for multi-turn encoders. In one embodiment, inductive means are employed to determine the number of revolutions a central shaft operably connected to an encoder module has turned. The inductive coils comprise emitter coils and receiver coils, which are operably associated with and opposed to corresponding encoder devices. The various embodiments of the harmonic gear multi-turn encoders disclosed herein are capable of operating under high temperature conditions and withstanding the effects of various environmental contaminants, and are also amenable to miniaturization and low cost manufacturing.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of high-speed, high-performance, low-noise optical encoders having various means for preventing undesired stray light from reaching light detectors incorporated therein. Structures employed to block stray light in the optical encoders include light barriers, air gap trenches, and coatings disposed between first and second sides of a substrate of the encoder. Also disclosed are compact single track optical encoders having a single dome lens disposed thereover, and dual track triple dome lens optical encoders. Methods of making such optical encoders are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of high-speed, high-performance, low-noise optical encoders having various means for preventing undesired stray light from reaching light detectors incorporated therein. Structures employed to block stray light in the optical encoders include light barriers, air gap trenches, and coatings disposed between first and second sides of a substrate of the encoder. Also disclosed are compact single track optical encoders having a single dome lens disposed thereover, and dual track triple dome lens optical encoders. Methods of making such optical encoders are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a number of different embodiments of reflective multi-turn optical encoders with different light sensing systems. Three different basic configurations of reflective multi-turn optical encoder light sensing systems are disclosed herein: (a) optical encoders employing multiple arrays of light detectors; (b) optical encoders employing multiple arrays of stacked die light sensors, and (c) optical encoders employing variable tone density light sensing systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a reflective optical encoder package having a light emitter and a light detector disposed on an integrated circuit having an optically transparent glass layer disposed thereover. The package can be manufactured without resort to wirebonding techniques and instead can be made using wafer level packaging methods and materials. The package can also be made of lower profile or smaller footprint than many conventional optical encoder packages, and may be employed to sense or detect rotary or linear motion.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of high-speed, high-performance, low-noise optical encoders having various means for preventing undesired stray light from reaching light detectors incorporated therein. Structures employed to block stray light in the optical encoders include light barriers, air gap trenches, and coatings disposed between first and second sides of a substrate of the encoder. Also disclosed are compact single track optical encoders having a single dome lens disposed thereover, and dual track triple dome lens optical encoders. Methods of making such optical encoders are also disclosed.

Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a code wheel and an encoder. The code wheel is coupled to a dial. The code wheel includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections. The optical reflective encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the code wheel. The detector detects a reflected light signal. The reflected light signal corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal. Embodiments of this type of user navigational apparatus achieve reduced thickness compared to conventional implementations of jog wheels.