Optically digitized transmission dual tape overlay display apparatus

Claim 2

Tape display apparatus, comprising: an elongated tape having a functional scale corresponding to a condition; another elongated tape having a plurality of signal providing means arranged in coded relation to the functional scale; and the scaled and coded tapes being arranged to move in overlaying relation in accordance with the condition so that the scaled tape displays condition data and the coded tape transmits signals in a coded pattern corresponding to the displayed data.

Claim 3

Apparatus as described iN claim 1, including: the signal providing means includes a plurality of light transmitting areas arranged in coded relation to the functional scale; a light emitter; a light sensor disposed adjacent the light emitter; and the coded tape being arranged to move intermediate the light emitter and light sensor so that light from the emitter is transmitted in the coded pattern and the sensor senses the transmitted light to provide corresponding electrical signals.

Claim 4

Apparatus as described by claim 2, including: means connected to the light sensor and responsive to the signals therefrom for providing corresponding digital outputs.

Claim 5

Apparatus as described by claim 3 including a closed feedback loop, said loop comprising: a condition sensor for providing digital outputs corresponding to the condition; a comparator connected to the condition sensor and to the digital output means, and responsive to the outputs therefrom for providing an output corresponding to the difference therebetween; and means connected to the comparator and to the scaled and coded tapes for moving said tapes in response to the difference signal.

Claim 6

Apparatus as described by claim 4, including: a driven spool coupled to the tape moving means so as to be driven thereby; a spring loaded takeup spool; and the scaled and coded tapes being wound on the driven spool and being wound on the takeup spool.

Claim 7

Apparatus as described by claim 5, including: another takeup spool; and one of said scaled and coded tapes being wound on the first mentioned takeup spool and the other tape being wound on the other takeup spool.

Claim 8

Apparatus as described by claim 2, including: means for separating the tapes so that the coded tape moves intermediate the light emitter and light sensor.

Claim 9

Apparatus as described by claim 1, wherein: the light-transmitting areas on the coded tape are transparent.

Claim 10

Apparatus as described by claim 1, wherein: the light-transmitting areas are perforations.

Claim 11

Apparatus as described by claim 1, wherein: the light-transmitting areas are arranged laterally and longitudinally in a coded pattern according to the functional scale.

Claim 12

An instrument for displaying condition data and for providing corresponding digital outputs, comprising: an instrument case having a viewing aperture, and having mounted therein a rotatably mounted spool, a takeup spool, light-emitting means and light-sensing means; an elongated tape having a functional scale corresponding to the condition, said tape being wound on the rotatably mounted spool so as to originate thereat and wound on the takeup spool so as to terminate thereat; an elongated tape having a plurality of light-transmitting areas arranged in coded relation to the functional scale, said tape being wound on the rotatably mounted spool so as to originate thereat and wound on the takeup spool so as to terminate thereat; means for guiding the tapes whereby the scaled tape overlays the coded tape within the area of the instrument viewing aperture and the tapes are separated beyond said aperture so that the coded tape passes intermediate the light emitter and light sensor; a motor for driving the rotatably mounted spool so that the tapes pass the viewing aperture with the scaled tape displaying condition data and the coded tape transmitting light from the light emitter to the light sensor, said light sensor providing electrical outputs corresponding to the displayed data; means connected to the light sensor and responsive to the signals therefrom for providing corresponding digital outputs; a condition sensor for providing digital outputs varying with the condition; a comparator connected to the condition sensor and to the last-mentioned means for comparing the digital outputs therefrom and for providing a difference signal; and the motor connected to the comparator for driving the rotatably mounted spool in reSponse to the difference signal.

Claim 13

An instrument for displaying condition data and for providing corresponding digital outputs, comprising: an instrument case having a viewing aperture, and having mounted therein a rotatably mounted spool, a takeup spool, light-emitting means and light-sensing means; an elongated tape having a functional scale corresponding to the condition, said tape being wound on the rotatably mounted spool so as to originate thereat and wound on the takeup spool so as to terminate thereat; an elongated tape having a plurality of light-transmitting areas arranged in coded relation to the functional scale, said tape being wound on the rotatably mounted spool so as to originate thereat and wound on the takeup spool so as to terminate thereat; means for guiding the tapes whereby the scaled tape overlays the coded tape within the area of the instrument viewing aperture and the tapes are separated beyond said aperture so that the coded tape passes intermediate the light emitter and light sensor; a motor for driving the rotatably mounted spool so that the tapes pass the viewing aperture with the scaled tape displaying condition data and the coded tape transmitting light from the light emitter to the light sensor, said light sensor providing electrical outputs corresponding to the displayed data; means connected to the light sensor and responsive to the signals therefrom for providing corresponding digital outputs; a condition sensor for providing digital outputs varying with the condition; a comparator connected to the condition sensor and to the last-mentioned means for comparing the digital outputs therefrom and for providing a difference signal; and the motor connected to the comparator for driving the rotatably mounted spool in reSponse to the difference signal.

Claim 14

An instrument for displaying condition data and for providing corresponding digital outputs, comprising: an instrument case having a viewing aperture, and having mounted therein a rotatably mounted spool, first and second takeup spools, light-emitting means and light-sensing means; an elongated tape having a functional scale corresponding to the condition, said tape being wound on the rotatably mounted spool so as to originate thereat and wound on one of the first and second takeup spools so as to terminate thereat; an elongated tape having a plurality of light transmitting areas arranged in coded relation to the functional scale, said tape being wound on the rotatably mounted spool so as to originate thereat and wound on the other of the first and second takeup spools so as to terminate thereat; means for guiding the tapes whereby the scaled tape overlays the coded tape within the area of the instrument viewing aperture and the tapes are separated beyond said aperture so that the coded tape passes intermediate the light emitter and light sensor; a motor for driving the rotatably mounted spool so that the tapes pass the viewing aperture with the scaled tape displaying condition data and the coded tape transmitting light from the light emitter to the light sensor, said light sensor providing electrical outputs corresponding to the displayed data; means connected to the light sensor and responsive to the signals therefrom for providing corresponding digital outputs; a condition sensor for providing digital outputs varying with the condition; a comparator connected to the condition sensor and to the last mentioned means for comparing the outputs therefrom and for providing a difference signal; and the motor connected to the comparator for driving the rotatably mounted spool in response to the difference signal.

Claim 15

An instrument for displaying condition data and for providing corresponding digital outputs, comprising: an instrument case having a viewing aperture, and having mounted therein a rotatably mounted spool, first and second takeup spools, light-emitting means and light-sensing means; an elongated tape having a functional scale corresponding to the condition, said tape being wound on the rotatably mounted spool so as to originate thereat and wound on one of the first and second takeup spools so as to terminate thereat; an elongated tape having a plurality of light transmitting areas arranged in coded relation to the functional scale, said tape being wound on the rotatably mounted spool so as to originate thereat and wound on the other of the first and second takeup spools so as to terminate thereat; means for guiding the tapes whereby the scaled tape overlays the coded tape within the area of the instrument viewing aperture and the tapes are separated beyond said aperture so that the coded tape passes intermediate the light emitter and light sensor; a motor for driving the rotatably mounted spool so that the tapes pass the viewing aperture with the scaled tape displaying condition data and the coded tape transmitting light from the light emitter to the light sensor, said light sensor providing electrical outputs corresponding to the displayed data; means connected to the light sensor and responsive to the signals therefrom for providing corresponding digital outputs; a condition sensor for providing digital outputs varying with the condition; a comparator connected to the condition sensor and to the last mentioned means for comparing the outputs therefrom and for providing a difference signal; and the motor connected to the comparator for driving the rotatably mounted spool in response to the difference signal.