Abstract: The angle encoder comprises a transmitter disk, which is provided with two circular measuring scales, preferably incremental measuring scales. A scanning unit is associated with each of said measuring scales and during a rotation of said disk relative to said scanning head is adapted to scan said scale with reflected light and to optoelectronically generate measured-value signals, such as control signals in response to said scanning. To minimize the effect of a radial runout on the accuracy of the measurement and to permit a providing of the measuring scales on the transmitter disk by a copying process, the transmitter disk has at least one frustoconical outside surface, which is centered on the axis of rotation and is provided with the measuring scales. A process of manufacturing the transmitter disk is also described.

Abstract: The incremental measuring system comprises a scale member with an incremental scale and a scanning unit comprising scanning sets for generating analog measured-value signals in response to the scanning of the scale. The system also comprises an evaluating unit for deriving digital countable signals from the analog measured-value signals and for generating a reference pulse. At least one pair of reference marks are spaced along the scale on a carrier releasably fixed to the scale member. The scanning unit comprises a reference mark scanning set to scan the reference marks and connected to the evaluating unit. A reference point which registers with a selected increment of the scale is disposed on the carrier between the reference marks of the pair and can be defined by the distances from the reference point to the reference marks, and these distances are stored in a memory.

Abstract: A hand-held microcomputer-based ruler-like measuring and calculating instrument, particularly adapted for but not restricted to the graphic arts field, is capable of registering individual size measurements, proportioning successive readings in percent, converting to different units and visually displaying numeric results. The measuring, computing and indicating system has been human-engineered to eliminate fatigue and risk of error associated with conventional methods of repeatedly sizing and proportioning graphics elements. Distance along a fixed ruler scale, gaged by a slider-mounted pointer, is sensed and encoded electro-optically from an internal fixed bar-scale, digitally decoded, registered, processed and displayed. Optional audible indication enables the sliding pointer to be reset manually to a memory-stored reference point without eye contact, simplifying multiple sequential readings and proportioning factor determinations and thus greatly reducing mental and visual effort.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining the inclination of a plane with respect to a theoretical horizontal plane, including a box-like body defining a base plane. An inclination detector element is rotatably associated with the box-like body; light detectors determine the position of the detector element with respect to the base plane; a display indicates the inclination of the base plane relatively to a theoretical horizontal plane. The light detector and the display are powered by batteries and operated by a switch.

Abstract: A digital indication type length measuring system includes a length measuring device having a spindle which can be brought into abutting contact with a work to be measured, an encoder for representing a displacement of the spindle as an electric signal, and an output circuit for outputting measured length information data obtained from the electric signal from the encoder to a cable. A data processing device includes an input circuit coupled to the cable for receiving data from the length measuring device, a processing circuit for processing data received by the input circuit in a predetermined manner to produce quality control data, and a printer for printing out the quality control data. The quality control data includes a histogram. When the length measuring and data processing devices are disconnected from each other, each measured length is displayed on a digital indicator which is provided on the length measuring device and which is repsonsive to the electric signal from the encoder.

Abstract: A coupling device for connecting a standard incremental angular motion transducer with two objects to be measured wherein the transducer is of the type comprising a measuring scale with at least one reference mark and a scanning unit operative to scan the measuring scale. The coupling device enables the transducer to be calibrated while the two objects are stationary. The calibration process is performed using a motor which engages and rotates a gear wheel connected to the measuring scale. The rotation of the measuring scale is conducted against the force of a spiral spring until the reference mark is scanned by the scanning unit and a reference pulse generated. The measuring scale is then returned to its momentary position under the influence of the spiral spring and the motor disengaged.

Abstract: The apparatus senses the absolute elevation and azimuth of a device, such as a gun in an arcade target shooting game. The gun is fixed to a shaft which is pivotable about horizontal and vertical axes and which is connected by two linkage assemblies, respectively, to two rotatably mounted encoder plates for rotating them, respectively, in response to pivoting of the gun about the two axes. Each plate has a plurality of apertures arranged in seven concentric rings in accordance with the Gray code, the arcs respectively intercepting seven light beams which are directed to seven photodetectors. At different rotational positions of the plate, different ones of the detectors will sense light. The apertures are arranged to produce discrete coded indications of each one-degree increment of movement of the gun over a range of about 90.degree..

Abstract: A process and apparatus for obtaining harmonic-free periodic signals in an incremental measuring system is disclosed in which a graduation having a graduation period P is scanned by at least six scanning elements (for the case in which the previously determined bandwidth N of the analog signals obtained in scanning the graduation N is equal to 3). The periodic analog signals generated by the scanning elements are subjected to a Fourier analysis for the determination of the Fourier coefficients of the base or fundamental wave of the periodic analog signals. These Fourier coefficients are then evaluated as harmonic-free periodic signals for the formation of position measuring values.

Abstract: A calibration process and apparatus are disclosed for allowing a reference position to be determined at any time, independent of the momentary position of the two objects movable relative to one another to be measured. One of the two objects to be measured is decoupled from the measuring device and then either the scanning plate or the measuring graduation of the measuring device is moved until it comes into alignment with a reference mark. This scanning of a reference mark causes a counter included in the measuring system to be set at a predetermined value such as zero. From this point up to the point the scanning plate or measuring graduation is returned to the momentary starting position, the grid lines of the graduation on the graduated plate are counted. In this way, the absolute position of the momentary starting position is determined.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for positioning an object wherein three point supports provide three contact points which define a first plane. Three additional point supports provide three additional contact points which are not coplanar with the first plane and which define a second plane. The first and second planes are nonperpendicular. The point supports accurately and repeatably position the object for optical measurement of a dimension of the object. The invention can be used in connection with the quality control testing of weldments which attach blade tips to gas turbine engine blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the angular displacement of two objects relative to each other. The apparatus includes a graduated plate which is attached to a rotatable shaft which is rigidly secured to a first object to be measured. The annular displacement of the graduated plate is measured by a scanning unit. The scanning unit and graduated plate are enclosed within a housing which is rigidly secured to a second object. The scanning unit is supported upon the rotatable shaft and secured by a coupling system to the housing so that it will not rotate with the shaft. The coupling system allows translational movements of the scanning unit with respect to the housing in planes perpendicular to the axis of the shaft without impairing the measurement accuracy of the scanning unit.

Abstract: This is a display and control system which includes a computer and peripheral hardware for displaying deck board position data and deck board width data on both the upper and lower sides of a pallet. The system includes a row of light emitting diode cells for displaying deck board position and width for each side of a pallet and a manually controllable cursor cell which can be set at a selected deck board position along a row. Data entry controls are provided for supplying data to the computer for energizing display cells adjacent the cursor cell to represent both pallet deck board width and board position in each row and the computer stores the data to control a pallet nailing machine.

Abstract: An optical transducer for determining the angular position of a rotating member relative to a fixed structure, comprises a notched disc 13 rotatable inside a support housing 12, a light emitter 18 and a plurality of photovoltaic cells 19 for detecting the passage of light through the disc notches. The active and passive elements of an electronic circuit connected to the photovoltaic cells are carried by a single ceramic plate 21, which also acts as a support for the cells 19. The circuit comprises trimming resistors in the form of films deposited on the ceramic plate and connected to the amplifiers by the photovoltaic cells. In order for the signals generated by the amplifiers to have constant, predetermined peak values, the values of the resistors are trimmed during the production stage by means of a laser which selectively burns away parts thereof. The ceramic plate 21 is cemented on to the transducer housing 12, which is then positioned on the laser apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus for measuring, computing, and displaying linear or angular displacements suited in particular to drafting applications. In display mode, the distance data is entered into the apparatus via a keypad and based on previously entered or predetermined scale or other considerations, electronically iluminated indicator markings of the apparatus indicate the beginning and end of a linear or angular segment representative of the entered data. Alternatively, in measuring mode, the illuminated indicator marking representing an index is placed at one limit of the line or angle to be measured and the other limit is indicated to the apparatus by the user such as by alignment of a slidable member with the other limit of the line or angle to be measured. The apparatus will display by LED or other suitable means, the angle or distance in numerical form represented by the displacement limits presented and based on previously entered or predetermined scale or other considerations.

Abstract: An instrument for precise measurement and setting of distances has an electronically controlled scale comprising optically active elements, an electronically controlled digital display, and a keyboard. The display and keyboard are mechanically rotatable and connected by electronic circuitry including a microprocessor. The light scale provides optical indicia, including a reference point and a cursor, having positions which are determined by keyboard entries and are displayed numerically.