초록 ▼

A method and apparatus to convert absolute angular or linear position to digital information utilizes a ternary coding scheme. The code is arranged along a single track. Sensors placed at essentially equal intervals distinguish three states per position. The sensor outputs are converted from ternary

A method and apparatus to convert absolute angular or linear position to digital information utilizes a ternary coding scheme. The code is arranged along a single track. Sensors placed at essentially equal intervals distinguish three states per position. The sensor outputs are converted from ternary to binary data by combinatorial logic. The sensors may be mechanical contacts, optical detectors, magnetic detectors, or capacitive detectors. Such an encoder may be used as a potentiometer, multiposition switch replacement, shaft encoder, or length measurement device.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A method of manufacturing an absolute Gray coded position encoder that has n sensors, each sensor having k states so that an output code of the encoder is of order k, the method co

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A method of manufacturing an absolute Gray coded position encoder that has n sensors, each sensor having k states so that an output code of the encoder is of order k, the method comprising the steps of:(a) generating all n-digit, k-order necklaces that do not have a sub-period;(b) ordering a plurality of the necklaces generated in step (a) to obtain an ordered set of necklaces such that a Gray code condition is met between adjacent necklaces of said ordered set;(c) encoding a track of said encoder using said ordered set of necklaces generated in step (b); and(d) providing n sensors along said track, each sensor detecting one respective digit of the output code.