Binary apparatus for motion control
First Claim
1. An apparatus for directing the motion of a movable element, said apparatus comprising:
- a. first and second arrays of radiant energy sensing means, each of said sensing means providing an output which defines a binary bit of a first logic level when activated, and which defines a binary bit of a second logic level when deactivated;
b. a selected number of radiant energy sources spatially separated from said first and second arrays for projecting activating radiant energy towards the sensing means of said first and second arrays;
c. a control element which is spatially positionable in relation to the sensing means of said first and second arrays to provide a binary control signal, discrete spatial positions of said control element being represented therein, said control element comprising first means for engagement by an operator to selectively position said control element in said relation to said sensing means of said first and second arrays and second means for urging said control element to a predetermined rest position; and
d. a control signal conversion means coupled to receive said binary control signal and responsive thereto for generating a selected number of motion control signals determinative of the motion of said movable element.
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Abstract
Radiant energy sensors situated in first and second orthogonally positionedrrays may be activated by radiant energy projected thereupon by radiant energy sources spatially separated therefrom, each of the sensors providing a first output level when activated and otherwise providing a second level of output. A control element subject to an operator'"'"'s manipulation is situated between the sensors of both arrays and their respective activating sources, and is disposed to be movable in two spatial dimensions to selectively shadow sensors of both arrays. The combined outputs of the sensors of the first and second array comprise a control signal in digital form, wherein discrete positions of the control element are represented, the digital control signal being coupled through a digital-to-analog converter to generate analog signals determinative of the motion of a light element on the screen of a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device and functionally related to control element position.
26 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for directing the motion of a movable element, said apparatus comprising:
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a. first and second arrays of radiant energy sensing means, each of said sensing means providing an output which defines a binary bit of a first logic level when activated, and which defines a binary bit of a second logic level when deactivated; b. a selected number of radiant energy sources spatially separated from said first and second arrays for projecting activating radiant energy towards the sensing means of said first and second arrays; c. a control element which is spatially positionable in relation to the sensing means of said first and second arrays to provide a binary control signal, discrete spatial positions of said control element being represented therein, said control element comprising first means for engagement by an operator to selectively position said control element in said relation to said sensing means of said first and second arrays and second means for urging said control element to a predetermined rest position; and d. a control signal conversion means coupled to receive said binary control signal and responsive thereto for generating a selected number of motion control signals determinative of the motion of said movable element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification