Intelligent transducer

• US 4,870,559 A
• Filed: 01/25/1982
• Issued: 09/26/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilbert P. Hyatt
• Original Assignee: Gilbert P. Hyatt
• Inventors: Hyatt, Gilbert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUGGIERO, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US06/342,579
• Time in Patent Office: 2,801 Days
• Field of Search: 364/130, 364/167, 364/174, 364/183, 364/474, 364/182, 364/550, 364/551, 364/572, 364/474.37, 364/551.02, 318/640, 318/592-595
• US Class Current: 700/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/897 using application of holographic techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8977 using special techniques for image reconstruction, e.g. FFT, geometrical transformations, spatial deconvolution, time deconvolution
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52026 Extracting wanted echo signals Doppler systems G01S15/50; Doppler short range imaging systems G01S15/8979
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70525 Controlling normal operating mode, e.g. matching different apparatus, remote control or prediction of failure
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70633 Overlay, i.e. relative alignment between patterns printed by separate exposures in different layers, or in the same layer in multiple exposures or stitching
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 9/7049 Technique, e.g. interferometric
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 9/7088 Alignment mark detection, e.g. TTR, TTL, off-axis detection, array detector, video detection
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 99/006 Electronic time-pieces using a microcomputer, e.g. for multi-function clocks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/351 the positional error is used to control continuously the servomotor according to its magnitude
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/408 characterised by data handling or data format, e.g. reading, buffering or conversion of data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4083 Adapting programme, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4086 Coordinate conversions; Other special calculations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4093 characterised by part programming, e.g. entry of geometrical information as taken from a technical drawing, combining this with machining and material information to obtain control information, named part programme, for the NC machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/414 Structure of the control system, e.g. common controller or multiprocessor systems, interface to servo, programmable interface controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4142 characterised by the use of a microprocessor G05B19/4141 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23094 Debounce key
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33182 : Uart, serial datatransmission, modem
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34023 : Risc processor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34098 : Slope fitting, fairing contour, curve fitting, transition
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34471 : Program memory is inhibited, not accessible as long as power fails
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34472 : Configure alterable memory as read only, to avoid erasing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35262 : Macro instruction, canned cycles, subroutines, subprogram
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35263 : Using variables, parameters in program, macro, parametrized instruction
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35373 : Data storage, buffer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35381 : Convert in real time input peripheral data to processor data, ouput data format
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35431 : Interactive
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35436 : Means, manual input, input reference, hand wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35453 : Voice announcement, oral, speech input
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35472 : Mode selection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35554 : Mirror, other conversions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35588 : Pack, compress data efficiently in memory
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36152 : Panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36227 : Assist operator to calculate unknown points, contours
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36333 : Selection from standard forms, shapes, partprograms, enter value for variable
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36366 : Data, read in, distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36379 : Read in
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36395 : Load local computer program from host, data transfer ram to rom, BTR
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36502 : Ram for variable servo data, rom for fixed servo routine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36503 : Adapt program to real coordinates, software orientation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36506 : Store in Rom and Ram
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36546 : Memory protection, protected fields
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41021 : Variable gain
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/42237 : Pwm pulse width modulation, pulse to position modulation ppm
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45214 : Gear cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45215 : Thread cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49221 : Control of scale
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50047 : Positioning, indexing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50048 : Jogging
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50083 : Power loss, measures again loss of power
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50151 : Orient, translate, align workpiece to fit position assumed in program
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/16 : for access to memory bus G06F13/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 : Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06J 1/00 : Hybrid computing arrangements digitally-programmed analogue computers G06G7/06
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 : electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/00 : Speech or audio signals analysis-synthesis techniques for redundancy reduction, e.g. in vocoders; Coding or decoding of speech or audio signals, using source filter models or psychoacoustic analysis in musical instruments G10H
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/565 : using capacitive charge storage elements
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 13/0033 : Disturbance prevention or evaluation; Refreshing of disturbed memory data
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 13/04 : using optical elements ; using other beam accessed elements, e.g. electron or ion beam
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/3418 : Disturbance prevention or evaluation; Refreshing of disturbed memory data
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/3431 : Circuits or methods to detect disturbed nonvolatile memory cells, e.g. which still read as programmed but with threshold less than the program verify threshold or read as erased but with threshold greater than the erase verify threshold, and to reverse the disturbance via a refreshing programming or erasing step
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 19/287 : Organisation of a multiplicity of shift registers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 19/36 : using multistable semiconductor elements
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 27/00 : Electric analogue stores, e.g. for storing instantaneous values
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 27/024 : using a capacitive memory element G11C27/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 27/04 : Shift registers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 : Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 17/0291 : Digital and sampled data filters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A high precision transducer and a system related thereto are provided for achieving high precision in an efficient, economical, and small size configuration. In a preferred embodiment, an optical position encoder transducer utilizes an optically sensed code wheel in combination with a vernier optical split to achieve high precision. Code wheel positions are sensed photo-optically to provide the most significant bits of the encoder position number. Optical slit position is sensed photo-optically to interpolate between disk code positions and to provide a high precision vernier to generating the least significant bits of the encoder output number. Anti-ambiguity circuitry resolves ambiguity between code wheel positions, vernier positions, and alignment. An array of photosensors provides enhanced precision and economy. Systems utilizing such transducers include digital readout systems, machine control systems, and data logging systems.

Claims

1. A transducer system comprising:

a first transducer for generating a first transducer number, said first transducer number having a plurality of digital bits;

a second transducer for generating a second transducer number, said second transducer number having a plurality of digital bits; and

a stored program digital computer for generating a combined transducer number related to the first transducer number generated with said first transducer and related to the second transducer number generated with said second transducer, said stored program computer including

(a) memory means for storing a program,

(b) first input means for receiving the first transducer number from said first transducer under control of the stored program,

(c) processing means for generating a filter processed first transducer number by filter processing the first transducer number received with said first input means under control of the stored program,

(d) second input means for receiving the second transducer number from said second transducer under control of the stored program, and

(e) combining means for generating a combined transducer number under control of the stored program in response to the filter processed first transducer number generated with said processing means and in response to the second transducer number received with said second input means.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said first transducer is a vernier transducer for generating the first transducer number as a vernier transducer number having a better resolution than said second transducer number generated with said second transducer.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said transducer system is a machine control transducer system;

wherein said first transducer includes an array of photosensors for generating the first transducer number;

wherein the plurality of digital bits of said first transducer number each correspond to a different photosensor in said array of photosensors;

wherein said second transducer includes means for generating the second transducer number having the plurality of digital bits arranged as an encoded digital number;

wherein said stored program digital computer includes an integrated circuit stored program digital computer for generating the combined transducer number;

wherein said memory means includes an integrated circuit read only memory for storing the program;

wherein said first input means includes serial means for receiving the first transducer number from said first transducer in serial form under control of the stored program;

wherein said processing means includes filter means for generating the filter processed first transducer number by weighting and summing filter processing of the first transducer number under control of the stored program;

wherein said second input means includes serial means for receiving the second transducer number from said second transducer in serial form under control of the stored program;

wherein said combining means includes means for generating the combined transducer number under control of the stored program by combining the filter processed first transducer number generated with said processing means as the least significant portion of the combined transducer number with the second transducer number received with said second input means as the most significant portion of the combined transducer number.

2. A transducer system comprising:

an illumination source for generating source illumination;

optical means for generating an illumination pattern related to a sensed condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

a charge transfer device having an array of photosensors for generating a sequential plurality of analog transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means;

an analog to digital converter for generating a sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples in response to the sequential plurality of analog transducer signal samples generated with said charge transfer device; and

a digital processor for generating a digital transducer number that is related to the sensed condition by processing the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples generated with said analog to digital converter.

7. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said transducer system is an encoder position transducer system;

wherein said illumination source includes means for generating the source illumination as collimated source illumination;

wherein said optical means includes means for generating the illumination pattern as a line of illumination having a position related to a sensed position condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

wherein said a charge transfer device includes a two dimensional array of charge coupled device photosensors for generating the sequential plurality of analog transducer signal samples as a shifted sequential plurality of analog transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means; and

wherein said digital processor includes a stored program digital computer for generating the digital encoder position transducer number that is related to the sensed position condition by processing the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples.

8. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, further comprising:

reference means for generating reference signal samples in response to the sequential plurality of analog transducer signal samples generated with said charge transfer device and

analog refreshing means for refreshing the sequential plurality of analog transducer signal samples generated with said charge transfer device in response to the reference signal samples generated with said reference means to reduce degradation of the sequential plurality of analog transducer signal samples provided to said analog to digital converter.

9. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said digital processor includes a digital filter processor for generating the digital transducer number as a filtered digital transducer number by filter processing of the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples generated with said analog to digital converter.

10. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said digital processor includes a digital correlation filter processor for generating the digital transducer number as a correlation filtered digital transducer number by correlation processing of the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples generated with said analog to digital converter.

11. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said digital processor includes a digital convolution filter processor for generating the digital transducer number as a convolution filtered digital transducer number by convolution processing of the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples generated with said analog to digital converter.

12. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said digital processor includes a digital transform filter processor for generating the digital transducer number as a transform filtered digital transducer number by transform processing of the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples generated with said analog to digital converter.

13. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said digital processor includes a digital regression filter processor for generating the digital transducer number as a regression filtered digital transducer number by regression processing of the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples generated with said analog to digital converter.

14. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said digital processor includes a digital interpolation processor for generating the digital transducer number as a interpolation filtered digital transducer number by interpolation processing of the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples generated with said analog to digital converter.

15. The system as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said charge transfer device includes a two dimensional array of photosensors and wherein said digital processor includes a two dimensional spacial digital filter processor for generating the digital transducer number as a two dimensionally filtered digital transducer number by two dimensionally filter processing the sequential plurality of digital transducer signal samples generated with said analog to digital converter.

3. A transducer system comprising:

an illumination source for generating source illumination;

optical means for generating an illumination pattern related to a sensed condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

an array of photosensors for generating transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means; and

a filter processor for generating output transducer signal samples by filter processing the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors, said filter processor including

(a) weighting means for generating weighted transducer signal samples by weighting the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors,

(b) summing means for generating filtered transducer signal samples by summing the weighted transducer signal samples, and

(c) output means for generating output transducer signal samples in response to the filtered transducer signal samples generated with said summing means.

16. The system as set forth in claim 3 above, wherein said transducer system is a velocity transducer system;

wherein said illumination source includes a coherent illumination source for generating the source illumination as coherent source illumination;

wherein said optical means includes means for generating the illumination pattern as a line illumination pattern related to a sensed velocity condition in response to the coherent source illumination generated with said coherent illumination source;

wherein said array of photosensors includes a CCD rectangular array of photosensors for generating analog transducer signal samples in response to the line illumination pattern generated with said optical means;

wherein said filter processor includes means for filter processing the analog transducer signal samples generated with said CCD rectangular array of photosensors to generate the output transducer signal samples;

wherein said weighting means including a plurality of resistors for generating analog weighted transducer signal samples by weighting the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors;

wherein said summing means includes an analog summing circuit for generating analog summed filtered velocity transducer signal samples by summing the weighted transducer signal samples; and

wherein said output means includes means for generating output velocity transducer signal samples in response to the analog summed filtered velocity transducer signal samples generated with said summing means.

17. The system as set forth in claim 3 above, further comprising:

reference means for generating reference signal samples in response to the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors and

analog refreshing means for refreshing the transducer signal samples in response to the reference signal samples generated with said reference means to reduce degradation of the transducer signal samples processed with said filter processor.

4. A transducer system comprising:

illumination means for generating illumination in response to a sensed condition;

an array of photosensors for generating an array of photosensor signals in response to the illumination generated with said illumination means; and

a filter processor for generating a filtered transducer signal in response to the array of photosensor signal samples generated by said array of photosensors.

18. A transducer system comprising:

an illumination source for generating source illumination;

optical means for generating an illumination pattern related to a sensed condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

an array of photosensors for generating transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means; and

an analog filter processor for generating analog filtered output transducer signal samples by filter processing of the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors, said filter processor including

(a) weighting means for generating weighted transducer signal samples by weighting the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors,

(b) summing means for generating filtered transducer signal samples by summing the weighted transducer signal samples, and

(c) output means for generating the analog filtered output transducer signal samples in response to the filtered transducer signal samples generated with said summing means.

19. A transducer system comprising:

an illumination source for generating source illumination;

optical means for generating an illumination pattern related to a sensed condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

an array of photosensors for generating transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means; and

a correlation filter processor for generating correlation filtered output transducer signal samples by correlation processing of the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors, said filter processor including

(a) weighting means for generating weighted transducer signal samples by weighting the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors,

(b) summing means for generating filtered transducer signal samples by summing the weighted transducer signal samples, and

(c) output means for generating the correlation filtered output transducer signal samples in response to the filtered transducer signal samples generated with said summing means.

20. A transducer system comprising:

an illumination source for generating source illumination;

optical means for generating an illumination pattern related to a sensed condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

an array of photosensors for generating transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means; and

a convolution filter processor for generating convolution filtered output transducer signal samples by convolution processing of the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors, said filter processor including

(a) weighting means for generating weighted transducer signal samples by weighting the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors,

(b) summing means for generating filtered transducer signal samples by summing the weighted transducer signal samples, and

(c) output means for generating the convolution filtered output transducer signal samples in response to the filtered transducer signal samples generated with said summing means.

21. A transducer system comprising:

an illumination source for generating source illumination;

optical means for generating an illumination pattern related to a sensed condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

an array of photosensors for generating transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means; and

a transform filter processor for generating transform filtered output transducer signal samples by transform processing of the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors, said filter processor including

(a) weighting means for generating weighted transducer signal samples by weighting the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors,

(b) summing means for generating filtered transducer signal samples by summing the weighted transducer signal samples, and

(c) output means for generating the transform filtered output transducer signal samples in response to the filtered transducer signal samples generated with said summing means.

22. A transducer system comprising;

an illumination source for generating source illumination;

optical means for generating an illumination pattern related to a sensed condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

an array of photosensors for generating transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means; and

a regression filter processor for generating regression filtered output transducer signal samples by regression processing of the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors, said filter processor including

(a) weighting means for generating weighted transducer signal samples by weighting the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors,

(b) summing means for generating filtered transducer signal samples by summing the weighted transducer signal samples, and

(c) output means for generating the regression filtered output transducer signal samples in response to the filtered transducer signal samples generated with said summing means.

23. A transducer system comprising:

an illumination source for generating source illumination;

optical means for generating an illumination pattern related to a sensed condition in response to the source illumination generated with said illumination source;

an array of photosensors for generating transducer signal samples in response to the illumination pattern generated with said optical means; and

an interpolation filter processor for generating interpolation processing of the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors, said filter processor including

(a) weighting means for generating weighted transducer signal samples by weighting the transducer signal samples generated with said array of photosensors,

(b) summing means for generating filtered transducer signal samples by summing the weighted transducer signal samples, and

(c) output means for generating the interpolation filtered output transducer signal samples in response to the filtered transducer signal samples generated with said summing means.

24. A position transducer system comprising:

illumination means for generating a line of illumination in response to a sensed position condition;

a two dimensional array of photosensors having a transducer resolution determined by spacing between photosensors for generating an array of photosensor signals in response to the line of illumination generated with said illumination means; and

a filter processor for generating a digital position transducer number having a resolution that is better than the transducer resolution determined by the spacing between photosensors by correlation filter processing of the array of photosensor signals.

25. A position transducer system comprising:

illumination means for generating a line of illumination in response to a sensed position condition;

a two dimensional array of photosensors having a transducer resolution determined by the spacing between photosensors for generating an array of photosensor signals in response to the illumination generated with said illumination means; and

a filter processor for generating a position digital transducer number having a resolution that is better than the transducer resolution determined by the spacing between photosensors by correlation filter processing the array of photosensor signals.

26. A transducer system comprising:

illumination means for generating illumination in response to a sensed condition;

an array of photosensors for generating an array of photosensor signals in response to the illumination generated with said illumination means; and

a correlation filter processor for generating a correlation processed filtered transducer signal by correlation processing of the array of photosensor signals generated with said array of photosensors.

27. A transducer system comprising:

illumination means for generating illumination in response to a sensed condition;

an array of photosensors for generating an array of photosensor signals in response to the illumination generated with said illumination means; and

a convolution filter processor for generating a convolution processed filtered transducer signal by convolution processing of the array of photosensor signals generated with said array of photosensors.

28. A transducer system comprising:

illumination means for generating illumination in response to a sensed condition;

an array of photosensors for generating an array of photosensor signals in response to the illumination generated with said illumination means; and

a transform filter processor for generating a transform processed filtered transducer signal by transform processing of the array of photosensor signals generated with said array of photosensors.

29. A transducer system comprising:

illumination means for generating illumination in response to a sensed condition;

an array of photosensors for generating an array of photosensor signals in response to the illumination generated with said illumination means; and

an interpolation filter processor for generating an interpolation processed filtered transducer signal by interpolation processing of the array of photosensor signals generated with said array of photosensors.