US3567950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drawing-to-tape programmer with photoelectric scan position encoding
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1969-08-25
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1989-08-25
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for translating position coordinates of points on a multidimensional display into binary information for recording in form suitable for use with numerical control equipment. More specifically, a drawing-to-tape programmer is described comprising a scanning assembly movable along orthogonally related coordinate axes into registration with each point to be recorded, the position coordinates of that point being encoded by photoelectric sensor arrays movable with the scanning assembly along binary coding scales each paralleling one of the coordinate axes and apertured to pass light to the associated photosensor array in a coded pattern providing unambiguous indication of the position coordinate along that axis. Rack and detent members with the rack teeth spaced correspondingly to the coding scale aperture spacing are provided for assuring alignment of the photosensor array with those coding scale apertures nearest to correspondence with the point to be translated, then locking the scanning assembly against further movement along that coordinate axis until read-out is completed. Means also are provided for marking each point as read, for preventing repeat of read-out, and for limiting read-out information, to the minimum essential to define position coordinates newly changed.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:09
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/42; G05B19/4202; G05B19/4205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
Apparatus for sensing position and translating position coordinates of points on a multidimensional display into digital information, comprising: a plurality of digital coding scales disposed in mutually orthogonal relation with each extending along a different coordinate axis and having apertures therein arranged in rows spaced along that axis; a scanning assembly including a like plurality of photosensor arrays and means mounting said arrays to enable each to move along one of said digital coding scales into successive registration with each of said coding aperture rows therein; a like plurality of toothed rack members each extending parallel to one of said digital coding scales and having its teeth spaced correspondingly to the spacing between said coding aperture rows; a like plurality of locking means carried by said scanning assembly and including toothed detent members each movable into and out of meshing engagement with one of said rack members and operable when engaged to lock the scanning assembly against movement in the direction paralleled by that rack member; a like plurality of detent control means each comprising operator controlled electrical actuating means for effecting disengagement of said detent from said rack member and spring loading means for returning said detent into engagement with said rack member; a like plurality of switch means each actuated by one of said detent members on its departure from and return to fully meshed relation with the associated rack member; readout means selectively operable to encode the output of said photosensor arrays when in registration with said coding aperture rows to provide indication of the position coordinates of the corresponding point; and means operative under control of said switch means for disabling said read-out means except when all said detent members are fully meshed with their respective rack members and identifying any rack member not thus meshed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
Apparatus for sensing position and translating position coordinates of points on a multidimensional display into digital information, comprising: a plurality of digital coding scales disposed in mutually orthogonal relation with each extending along a different coordinate axis and having apertures therein arranged in rows spaced along that axis; a scanning assembly including a like plurality of photosensor arrays and means mounting said arrays to enable each to move along one of said digital coding scales into successive registration with each of said coding aperture rows therein; a like plurality of toothed rack members each extending parallel to one of said digital coding scales and having its teeth spaced correspondingly to the spacing between said coding aperture rows; a like plurality of locking means carried by said scanning assembly and including toothed detent members each movable into and out of meshing engagement with one of said rack members and operable when engaged to lock the scanning assembly against movement in the direction paralleled by that rack member; a like plurality of detent control means each comprising operator controlled electrical actuating means for effecting disengagement of said detent from said rack member and spring loading means for returning said detent into engagement with said rack member; a like plurality of switch means each actuated by one of said detent members on its departure from and return to fully meshed relation with the associated rack member; readout means selectively operable to encode the output of said photosensor arrays when in registration with said coding aperture rows to provide indication of the position coordinates of the corresponding point; and means operative under control of said switch means for disabling said read-out means except when all said detent members are fully meshed with their respective rack members and identifying any rack member not thus meshed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including means operative under control of said switch means to disable said readout means against readout of position coordinates except those on coordinate axes along which scanning assembly movement has been enabled by disengagement of said detent and rack members since the preceding readout.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including means operative under control of said readout means to disable said detent actuating means during readout.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
245 words
Apparatus for translating points on a two-coordinate graphic display into binary information, comprising: a pair of binary coding scales disposed in orthogonal relation with each extending along one of the two coordinate axes and having apertures therein arranged in rows spaced along that axis; a scanning assembly including a pair of photosensor arrays and means mounting said arrays to enable their movement each along one of said binary coding scales into successive registration with each of said coding aperture rows therein; readout means selectively operable to encode the output of said photosensor arrays when in registration with said coding aperture rows to provide binary indication of the position coordinating of the corresponding point; a pair of toothed rack members each extending parallel to one of said binary coding scales and having its teeth spaced correspondingly to the spacing between said coding aperture rows; a pair of toothed detent members carried by said scanning assembly and movable into and out of meshing engagement with one of said rack members to lock said detent and rack members against relative movement when meshed; operator controlled means selectively operable to engage and disengage said detent and rack members to permit motion of said scanning assembly in such direction as may be thus enabled; and control means actuated by said detent member and operative upon departure thereof from meshed engagement with said rack member to disable said readout means and to provide an indication of such departure to the operator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
245 words
Apparatus for translating points on a two-coordinate graphic display into binary information, comprising: a pair of binary coding scales disposed in orthogonal relation with each extending along one of the two coordinate axes and having apertures therein arranged in rows spaced along that axis; a scanning assembly including a pair of photosensor arrays and means mounting said arrays to enable their movement each along one of said binary coding scales into successive registration with each of said coding aperture rows therein; readout means selectively operable to encode the output of said photosensor arrays when in registration with said coding aperture rows to provide binary indication of the position coordinating of the corresponding point; a pair of toothed rack members each extending parallel to one of said binary coding scales and having its teeth spaced correspondingly to the spacing between said coding aperture rows; a pair of toothed detent members carried by said scanning assembly and movable into and out of meshing engagement with one of said rack members to lock said detent and rack members against relative movement when meshed; operator controlled means selectively operable to engage and disengage said detent and rack members to permit motion of said scanning assembly in such direction as may be thus enabled; and control means actuated by said detent member and operative upon departure thereof from meshed engagement with said rack member to disable said readout means and to provide an indication of such departure to the operator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said operator controlled means comprise solenoid means operative when energized to disengage said detent from said rack member and spring loading means operative to return said detent into engagement with said rack member upon deenergization of said solenoid means, and wherein said control means comprises switch means coupled to said detent member and tripped thereby except when in fully meshed relation with said rack member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |