Encoder with a light emitting editing wheel

• US 5,384,460 A
• Filed: 11/03/1993
• Issued: 01/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EJT Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dennis Tseng, Silitek Corporation (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Tseng, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WU, XIAO MIN
• Application Number:
  US08/145,213
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, 345/167, 345/157, 345/156, 345/158, 345/184, 250/227.31, 250/231.13, 250/213.14
• US Class Current: 250/231.14
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/34715 Scale reading or illumination devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473

Abstract

An encoder with a light emitted editing wheel comprises an editing wheel defines a wheel body and a hole in its middle portion. The editing wheel is made from transparent material, such glass, acrylic etc. The editing wheel is mounted on a shaft member and can be actuated to rotate thereon via suitable actuating means. A plurality of light focusing means being disposed along the circumference of the editing wheel. A light receiving means is provided radially on the wheel body. The light focusing means is interconnected with the light receiving means and capable of focusing a light source transmitted from the light receiving means into a plurality of light point. A light source is disposed at a perpendicular position above the editing wheel. The light source is capable of sending a light to the light receiving means of the editing wheel. And a sensor means is disposed adjacent to the light focusing means. A pair of light detecting means are provided at the sensor means thereon. The light detecting means is capable of sending an active signal as a light point is received thereon.

Claims

1. An encoder with a light emitting editing wheel, comprising

an editing wheel defining a wheel body and a hole in its middle, said editing wheel being mounted on a shaft member and being actuated to rotate thereon via suitable transmission means, a plurality of light focusing means being disposed along the circumference of said editing wheel, a light receiving means being provided radially on said wheel body, said light focusing means being interconnected with said light receiving means to focus light transmitted from said light receiving means into a plurality of light points;

a light source disposed at a perpendicular position above said editing wheel, said light source sending said light to said light receiving means of said editing wheel; and

a sensor means being disposed adjacent to said light focusing means, a pair of light detecting means being provided at said sensor means thereon, said light detecting means being capable of sending an active signal as a light point of said plurality of light points is received thereon.

2. An encoder as recited in claim 1, wherein said light receiving means is a cone portion disposed at the center of said editing wheel.

3. An encoder as recited in claim 1, wherein said light receiving means includes a plurality of undercuts having a trapezoid cross section disposed radially on said editing wheel.

4. An encoder as recited in claim 3, wherein an inclined surface of each of said undercuts is aimed toward a periphery of said wheel body.

5. An encoder as recited in claim 1, wherein said light receiving means is an annular recessed portion having a triangular cross section disposed radially on said wheel body.

6. An encoder as recited in claim 1, wherein said light focus means has a round head portion.

7. An encoder as recited in claim 1, wherein said light focus means has a rectangular head portion.

8. An encoder as recited in claim 1, wherein said editing wheel is made from a transparent material, such as acrylic or glass.

9. An encoder as recited in claim 1, wherein said light source is disposed at a position which is perpendicular to said editing wheel.

10. An encoder with a light emitting editing wheel, comprising

an editing wheel defining a wheel body, said editing wheel being mounted on a shaft member and being actuated to rotate thereon via suitable transmission means, a plurality of light focusing means being disposed along the circumference of said editing wheel, a light receiving means being provided radially on said wheel body, said light focusing means being interconnected with said light receiving means to light focus transmitted from said light receiving means into a plurality of light points;

a light source disposed at the center of said wheel body, said light source sending said light to said light receiving means of said editing wheel; and

a sensor means being disposed adjacent to said light focusing means, a pair of light detecting means being provided at said sensor means thereon, said light detecting means being capable of sending an active signal as a light point of said plurality of light points is received thereon.

11. An encoder as recited in claim 10, wherein said light focus means has a round head portion.

12. An encoder as recited in claim 10, wherein said light focus means has a rectangular head portion.

13. An encoder as recited in claim 10, wherein said editing wheel is made from a transparent material, such as acrylic or glass.