Abstract: A method for forming an assembly of a plurality of components. The method includes receiving, by a controller, one or more assembly identification parameters and controlling, by the controller, a light array disposed along an assembly jig based on the one or more assembly identification parameters.

Abstract: A tape measure apparatus including a housing having a base-wall, a retractable measuring tape disposed within, and a first-set of indicia markings beginning at a second-end of the base-wall and terminating at a second-tape-end of the retractable measuring tape. The first-set of indicia markings comprise of graduated measurements for measuring a distance between two surfaces or objects. The tape measure apparatus, having the first-set of indicia markings and a lock-mechanism, is useful for enabling a user to accurately measure the distance without bending or distorting the retractable measuring tape and for convenient reading of the measurement result.

Abstract: A printer forms a three-dimensional object on a rotating substrate. The printer includes a frame that supports a cylindrical member and at least one printhead such that the first printhead is positioned to eject material onto an outer surface of the cylindrical member. The frame is movable between a first position that rotatably supports the cylindrical member and a second position that enables transfer of the cylindrical member to and from the frame. A controller operates the printhead to eject material onto the rotating cylindrical member to form the object. The controller interpolates a periodic signal generated from a position encoder to adjust the operation of the printhead based on the rotational position and velocity of the cylindrical member. The controller operates a driver to move the frame to the second position to enable removal of the cylindrical member from the printer.

Abstract: A printer forms a three-dimensional object on a rotating substrate. The printer includes a first driver to rotate the substrate past at least one printhead at a predetermined velocity and a controller to operate the printhead to eject material onto the substrate to form the object. A second driver is operated to move the position of the printhead perpendicular to the substrate to maintain a predetermined gap between the printhead and the layer of material most distant from the substrate. The second driver is further operable to move the position of the printhead parallel to the substrate to adjust a resolution of the ejected material. The controller interpolates an alternating signal generated from a position encoder to adjust the operation of the printhead based on the rotational position and velocity of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for determining the position of a tape-like medium are proposed. The method provides for counting pulses which are supplied to the arrangement for determining the position to be counted, blocked or cancelled depending on the respective transport state. To this end, it is established whether the transport direction has been constant for a defined amount of time or over a defined distance. The transport direction determines whether the counter is incremented or decremented. In addition, counting pulses which rapidly follow one another are blocked in order to avoid undesirable double triggering. In order to avoid losing blocked counting pulses in an undesirable manner, the latter are stored and are applied to the counter, or discarded, depending on the transport state before and after blocking.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for manufacturing radio frequency transponders having substrates formed from a flexible tape or film are disclosed. The RF transponders are formed on the tape so that their longest dimension (e.g., their length ("L")) is oriented parallel to the length of the tape. This layout places few or no constraints in the transponder's length allowing the length of the transponder's antenna circuit to be adjusted to satisfy the requirements of various applications.

Abstract: A system for determining the cumulative position and periodic average velocity of a rotating body having an incremental encoder, operatively connected to the body, for generating a series of periodic signals indicative of rotation of the body. The system also includes a high frequency clock for generating clock pulses at a frequency greater than the maximum frequency of the encoder signal, and a timer for controlling the total time of a predetermined sample interval. Also included in the device is a counter for accumulating the number of integral encoder signal cycles that have been completed, an arithmetic logic unit for determining the size of a fractional portion of an encoder signal cycle that was completed between the last integral encoder cycle and the end of the sample interval.

Abstract: A tape rule or other displacement measuring apparatus comprises a reader means and a member that are relatively movable. The member carries a position track defined by a sequence of alternative markings made in succession along the member. The alternative markings record different values in a pseudo-random sequence which is the result of repetitive operations on a seed consisting of a small number of elements. The sequence has the property that a group of successive markings of length at least equal to that of the seed occurs at a single position in the sequence so that a succession of markings read from the track and of length at least equal to the seed defines an absolute position of the reading means and the member.

Abstract: An information retrieval apparatus used in a microfilm reader, a reader/printer, or the like includes a first illuminator for illuminating information and a mark recorded on an information recording medium, a second illuminator for illuminating the mark, and a detector for detecting the mark illuminated by the second illuminator. The second illuminator includes a solid-state light-emitting element for emitting monochromatic radiation having a wavelength of visible light. A designator designates an optimal position of the detector on the basis of a position of the mark projected on a screen is arranged.

Abstract: A pressure spring for urging a document (10) against a reading head (22) in a document processing machine, comprises a resilient band (46) on band support arms (50) with different portions of the discontinuous resilient band (46) being selected to lie between the support arms (50). Manually operable means (80), (70) can be provided. In one embodiment, a motor (84) under the action of a controller (106), automatically advances the discontinuous band (46) whenever a service date or a pre-determined document count has been exceeded. Should the discontinuous resilient band (46) reach an extremity of travel, the controller (106) provides that the motor (84) returns the discontinuous resilient band (46) back to its start position.

Abstract: A digital tape measure comprising a tape stored in a case when it is not used and drawn out of an aperture of the case when it is used and onto which a plurality of detection marks are affixed at equivalent interval, a detector of detecting the detection marks by photoelectric transfer elements, a counter of counting the detected signal being output from the detector corresponding to the volume of movement of the tape, a display of displaying the result counted by the counter, and in which a length of each detection mark is established to be a length twice as long as the minimum scale of the tape, the distance between each detection mark is established to be equivalent to the length of each detection mark in the direction of measurement, and the detector comprises two photoelectric transfer elements arranged at the phase difference of 90.degree. and a discriminator of discriminating the output signal from the photoelectric transfer elements.

Abstract: A distance-measuring device, comprises a housing; a flexible measuring tape reelable into and out of the housing for measuring lengths; a shaft encoder rotatable by the flexible-measuring tape when reeled into and out of the housing and outputting digital pulses for each unit length of the measuring tape so reeled into or out of the housing; and an up/down counter adding the electrical pulses outputted when the tape is reeled out of the housing, and subtracting the electrical pulses outputted when the tape is reeled into the housing, and thereby providing an indication of the length of the measuring tape reeled out of said housing. Also described is a device for measuring the two coordinates of a point in space, by providing two such housings mounted on a common base, and a flexible measuring tape reelable into and out of each housing at locations spaced a predetermined distance between the two housings, the two tapes being connected at a single connection point whose coordinates are to be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting the exact number of electrical circuit components carried by a length of component dispensing tape is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the invention uses optical detectors to detect the transmission of light through tape index holes and component carrier compartment holes and variously to increment or inhibit operation of a counter accordingly. In one form of the invention, the circuitry is adapted to detect automatically whether the tape is optically transmissive or opaque and to modify the counting scheme accordingly.

Abstract: An electronic measuring rule wherein the rule tape is formed integrally with a magnetic recording tape imbedded therein along the longitudinal axis of the tape rule. The recording tape which has spaced indicia signals recorded thereon is molded into a recess along the longitudinal center of a vinyl tape so that the vinyl tape covers the outer edges of the magnetic recording tape and the back thereof. A thin protective resin layer covers the recorded side to protect it from abrasions during use. Visible indicia are printed on both sides of the vinyl tape, top and bottom, on each lateral side so that the tape may be "read" visually in the usual manner from either lateral side, both top and bottom.The recording tape portion of the measuring rule is "read" directly by a pick-up head located within the case adjacent the location where the tape exits the enclosing case.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus automatically retrieves desired information on an information bearing medium having information and marks. In the retrieving apparatus, the marks are detected and counted during the feed of the information bearing medium. In accordance with the number of the counted marks, the feeding of the data bearing medium is controlled to retrieve the desired data. The apparatus is provided with at least three mark-detecting means for successively detecting the mark and memory means for memorizing the detections of the mark by the respective mark-detecting means, and a mark counting signal is formed from the content in said memory means and the counting signal is counted in order to eliminate the possibility that one and same mark may erroneously be counted twice or more when the feeding speed of the information bearing medium is abruptly changed.

Abstract: A compact measuring instrument having an extensible measuring means connected to accurately input a signal to a potentiometer, that signal being representative of a distance over which the extensible measuring means has extended, a calculator logic circuit being connected to the potentiometer to receive an output signal therefrom and convert it to a proportional measurement, and connected to transmit the proportional measurement signal to a visual electronic readout unit.

Abstract: A magnetic tape timer and method wherein the measured tape time as well as stored cue markers are not affected upon receiving a preset or reset signal. An offset signal is generated and stored as a difference between the preset or reset signal and a tape time which is coincident with receiving the preset or reset signal. The tape time, cue markers and other tape time related values are then modified by the offset signal for further use such as for display.

Abstract: In the disclosed device, a counter digitally counts the used or unused length of a tape, a display using a liquid crystal or the like displays the count, and a switch optionally shifts the count up or down.

Abstract: A recording-reproducing device of information such as pictures, voices and so on, in which the used amount of the recording medium is counted. A plural number of the memory devices for memorizing the counted value of the used amount when the recording medium which has not been used is exchanged.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encoding the lateral or circumferential setting within a web press of a laterally or circumferentially adjustable machine for operating on a web is provided. The machine has an element which moves linearly as the machine is adjusted, and the apparatus includes a linkage connectable to the linearly moving element. An electric signal generator is operatively connected to the linkage for operation in response to movement of the linkage. A reference point is defined for describing the setting of the machine, and a code is computed in response to the signal generated by the signal generator for designating the setting of the machine with respect to the reference point. The generated code is then displayed in an appropriate manner or used to automatically set the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing distance between a pair of indicia on a surface moving relative to the apparatus has an interval detector, a sensor and a scale device. The interval detector can respond to movement of the surface. The detector can produce an interval signal signifying the time elapsing during the passage of an interval on the surface of a predetermined length. The sensor is positioned alongside the surface for sensing the arrival times of the pair of indicia at the sensor. The scale device responds to the interval detector and sensor device for producing a distance signal signifying the ratio of the time difference in arrival of the pair to the interval signal.

Abstract: An automatic retrieval apparatus for use with an information containing film in a roll form, arranged to control driving of the information containing film by reading document marks or blips provided in the information containing film to correspond with respective frames. The retrieval apparatus includes a detecting circuitry for detecting the document marks to produce detecting signal, a latch circuitry to be set by impression of the detecting signal to it, and a calculation processing circuitry which effects predetermined calculation corresponding to the detection of the document marks when the latch circuitry is in the set state, and which produces signal for resetting the latch circuitry upon completion of the calculation processing.

Abstract: In a tape recorder including a circuit for generating pulses according to the running of a tape, an electronic counter circuit is provided which includes a counter for counting pulses and a display section for displaying its count value. The electronic counter circuit further includes a control circuit for disconnecting a display section from a power supply source a predetermined time period after the running of the tape is stopped and a memory for storing the count value at all times.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling tape movement to a given position by utilizing the combination of periodic determinations of tape position by calculation based on reel speed ratios, and monitoring positions represented by counts in a pulse count memory.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing a display with tape movement utilizing a clock means for driving the display, and adjusting the rate of the clock means according to measured movement of the tape to maintain the clock and thus the display in synchronization.

Abstract: A display apparatus for tape running positions is provided with a first pulse generator (36) for generating m first pulses for each revolution of a supply reel (12) in a tape transport, a second pulse generator (38) for generating n second pulses for each revolution of a take-up reel (14), and a counter (44 to 48) for counting the number of the first pulses during one period of the second pulse. The ratio of count value change in the counter for a time period from the start to the end of the tape running is expanded to the square of the change ratio of rotational speed of the reel from the beginning to the end of the tape winding. A counting range of the counter at this time is proportional to m/n.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying a cassette inserted in a tape deck apparatus by using constants stored in memory corresponding to known types of cassettes; controlling the drive means of the apparatus to carry out a cassette identification sequence involving moving the tape to different positions and comparing actual positions to theoretical positions based on the use of a pre-selected set of constants, and selecting the correct set of constants identifying the cassette in the apparatus according to the comparison.

Abstract: In a tape recorder including a circuit for generating a pulse signal corresponding to an amount of tape travel, an electronic counter circuit is provided which includes a counter for counting pulses and a display section for displaying a count value. The electronic counter circuit further includes a memory for receiving voltage at all times from a power supply and storing a count value and a control section adapted to maintain the energization of the display section for a predetermined time period after the operation of the tape recorder is stopped and to stop the energization of the display section thereafter, while inhibiting the resetting of the counter.