Capacitively coupled position encoder
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a sensor with a face having several tracks spaced apart from one another. One of these tracks has a first electrode and a second electrode separated by an electrically nonconductive gap. Also included is a detection device extending across the tracks to receive signals by capacitive coupling. Sensor circuitry electrically coupled to the tracks and the detection device is structured to generate a first number of bits from a sequential signal pattern applied to the tracks in accordance with an established sequence. The circuitry is also structured to generate a second number of bits as a function of a first signal and a second signal. The first bits and second bits represent a position of the detection device along the tracks with the first bits being more numerically significant than the second bits.
20 Citations
24 Claims
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1-17. -17. (canceled)
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18. A method, comprising:
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generating a signal pattern to repetitively provide a changing voltage to each of two or more tracks of a sensor;
capacitively coupling an electrode of the sensor to the tracks to determine a first electrode position along the tracks by detecting a first group of signals emitted in response to the signal pattern;
moving at least one of the electrode and the tracks relative to another of the electrode and the tracks to result in a second electrode position along the tracks different from the first electrode position; and
detecting a second group of signals emitted in response to the signal pattern with the electrode capacitively coupled to the tracks to determine the second electrode position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification