Intermediate linear positioning
First Claim
1. A system operable for positioning a load in each of a plurality of positions disposed over a linear axis of a movement of the load, the system comprising:
- a linear actuator component operable for the movement of the load into each of the plurality of positions, which comprise;
a first position disposed at a first end of the movement;
a second position disposed at a second end of the movement, opposite from the first end;
a plurality of intermediate positions disposed intermediately between the first position and the second position;
a stop actuator component comprising a configurable material switchable selectively between an engaged configuration, in which the load is positioned in any one of the plurality of intermediate positions, and a disengaged configuration, in which the movement is unconstrained between the first position and the second position; and
a stop actuator linear positioning system operable for moving the stop actuator from a first position about the linear axis to at least one additional position about the liner axis, the number of positions about the linear axis for the stop actuator corresponding to the number of intermediate positions constituting the plurality of intermediate positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is described for positioning a load in of multiple positions disposed over a linear axis. A linear actuator moves the load into each of the positions. A first position is at an end of the movement, with a second position opposite. A third position is intermediate between the first and the second positions. A stop actuator is made of a configurable material switchable selectively between an engaged configuration, in which the load is positioned in the at least third position, and a disengaged configuration, in which the load is freely movable between the first and the second positions.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system operable for positioning a load in each of a plurality of positions disposed over a linear axis of a movement of the load, the system comprising:
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a linear actuator component operable for the movement of the load into each of the plurality of positions, which comprise; a first position disposed at a first end of the movement; a second position disposed at a second end of the movement, opposite from the first end; a plurality of intermediate positions disposed intermediately between the first position and the second position; a stop actuator component comprising a configurable material switchable selectively between an engaged configuration, in which the load is positioned in any one of the plurality of intermediate positions, and a disengaged configuration, in which the movement is unconstrained between the first position and the second position; and a stop actuator linear positioning system operable for moving the stop actuator from a first position about the linear axis to at least one additional position about the liner axis, the number of positions about the linear axis for the stop actuator corresponding to the number of intermediate positions constituting the plurality of intermediate positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An optical assembly adjustable selectively over at least three focus ranges, the optical assembly comprising:
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a first lens fixed in proximity to a first position; an image sensor-side lens fixed in proximity to a second position, which is disposed at an opposite end of a linear axis of the optical assembly from the first position; a movable lens movable controllably over the linear axis between the first position and the second position; and a system operable for positioning the movable lens in the first position, the second position, or any of a plurality of intermediate positions disposed between the first position and the second position, and comprising; a linear actuator component operable for moving the movable lens over the linear axis; a stop actuator component operable, selectively, for positioning the movable lens in any one of the plurality of intermediate positions, or for allowing the moveable lens to move freely between the first position and the second position, the stop actuator component comprising a material switchably configurable between an engaged configuration corresponding to the positioning of the movable lens in any one of the plurality of intermediate positions, or a disengaged position corresponding to allowing the moveable lens to move freely; and a stop actuator linear positioning system operable for moving the stop actuator from a first position about the linear axis to at least one additional position about the linear axis, the number of positions about the linear axis for the stop actuator corresponding to the number of intermediate positions constituting the plurality of intermediate positions. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for adjusting a focus range of an optical apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
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activating a linear actuator operable for causing a motion of a movable lens of the optical apparatus over a linear axis between a first position on the linear axis and a second position opposite therefrom, the first position and the second position each comprising limits of the motion of the movable lens in opposite directions over the linear axis; and disengaging a stop actuator, wherein the motion of the load is unconstrained between the first position and the second position;
orengaging the stop actuator, wherein the engaged stop actuator is operable for positioning the movable lens in any of a plurality of intermediate positions disposed between the first position and the second position, wherein engaging the stop actuator comprises activating a stop actuator linear positioning system operable for moving the stop actuator from a first position about the linear axis to at least one additional position about the linear axis, the number of positions for the stop actuator about the linear axis corresponding to the number of intermediate positions constituting the plurality of intermediate positions, and wherein the optical apparatus is operable over a plurality of focus ranges, the plurality of focus ranges comprising; an ‘
HD’
range of high definition and near-field and far-field range reading of high-density graphic data corresponding to a positioning the movable lens in the second position;an extended focus range (ER), corresponding to a positioning the movable lens in the first position; and a standard focus range (SR) corresponding to a positioning the movable lens in any one of the plurality of intermediate positions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification