Method of synchronizing the change of digits in absolute-value measuring devices and apparatus therefor

Claim 3

Apparatus for synchronizing the change of digits in an absolute value measuring device comprising a record carrier displaceable in response to the quantity of the value to be measured, at least two information carrying tracks positioned on said record carrier, coded markings on said tracks subdividing said tracks into different degrees of fineness, said markings being full marks, half marks and no marks, light sensing means associated individually with each track to scan the marking thereon, each light sensing means associated with other than the most finely divided track being responsive to the type of mark sensed to generate an electrical output of first, second or third magnitude representative of the absence of a mark, presence of a half mark or presence of a full mark respectively, fine track light sensing means associated with the most finely divided track being responsive to the absence or presence of a corresponding mark on said track to generate one electrical control signal of first or second magnitude respectively, said signal of first magnitude being of a quantity below a first predetermined level, said signal of third magnitude being of a quantity above a second predetermined level, and said signal of second magnitude being of a quantity intermediate said first predetermined level and said second predetermined level, means conducting the output signal and the control signal via a summing circuit to a discriminator circuit having a predetermined threshhold value whereby the presence of an output signal in excess of said second level or the simultaneous presence of a control signal and an output signal of second magnitude will cause said discriminator circuit to generate a response signal, and means conducting said response signal to means digitally indicative of the position of the track associated with said output signal.

Claim 4

Apparatus for synchronizing the change of digits in an absolute value measuring device comprising a record carrier displaceable in response to the quantity of the value to be measured, at least two information carrying tracks positioned on said record carrier, coded markings on said tracks subdividing said tracks into different degrees of fineness, said markings being full marks, half marks and no marks, light sensing means associated individually with each track to scan the marking thereon, each light sensing means associated with other than the most finely divided track being responsive to the type of mark sensed to generate an electrical output of first, second or third magnitude representative of the absence of a mark, presence of a half mark or presence of a full mark respectively, fine track light sensing means associated with the most finely divided track being responsive to the absence or presence of a corresponding mark on said track to generate one electrical control signal of first or second magnitude respectively, said signal of first magnitude being of a quantity below a first predetermined level, said signal of third magnitude being of a quantity above a second predetermined level, and said signal of second magnitude being of a quantity intermediate said first predetermined level and said second predetermined level, means conducting the output signal and the control signal via a summing circuit to a discriminator circuit having a predetermined threshhold value whereby the presence of an output signal in excess of said second level or the simultaneous presence of a control signal and an output signal of second magnitude will cause said discriminator circuit to generate a response signal, and means conducting said response signal to means digitally indicative of the position of the track associated with said output signal.

Claim 5

An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein for the production of the output signals at three different levels, each but the most finely divided tracks are provided with markings of intermediate value at each transition between the presence and the absence of a marking, and wherein each sensing means associated with other than the most finely divided track is arranged to scan the respectively associated track through a slit.

Claim 6

Apparatus for synchronizing the change of digits in an absolute-value measuring device comprising a record carrier displaceable in response to the quantity of the value to be measured, at least two information carrying tracks positioned on said record carrier, coded markings on said tracks subdividing said tracks into different degrees of fineness, light sensing means associated with each track other than the most finely divided track responsive to the presence or absence of one or two markings to generate an electrical output signal of the first magnitude representative of the absence of any sensed marking, an electrical output signal of the second magnitude representative of the presence of a single marking and an electrical output signal of the third magnitude representative of the presence of two markings, light sensing means associated with the most finely divided track being responsive to the absence or presence of a corresponding mark on said track to generate an electrical control signal of first or second magnitude respectively, said signal of first magnitude being of a quantity below a first predetermined level, said signal of third magnitude being of a quantity above a second predetermined level, and said signal of second magnitude being of a quantity intermediate said first predetermined level and said second predetermined level, means conducting the output signal and the control signal via a summing circuit to a discriminator ciRcuit having a predetermined threshhold value whereby the presence of an output signal in excess of said second level or the simultaneous presence of a control signal and an output signal of second magnitude will cause said discriminator circuit to generate a response signal, and means conducting said response signal to means digitally indicative of the position of the track associated with said output signal.

Claim 7

Apparatus for synchronizing the change of digits in an absolute-value measuring device comprising a record carrier displaceable in response to the quantity of the value to be measured, at least two information carrying tracks positioned on said record carrier, coded markings on said tracks subdividing said tracks into different degrees of fineness, light sensing means associated with each track other than the most finely divided track responsive to the presence or absence of one or two markings to generate an electrical output signal of the first magnitude representative of the absence of any sensed marking, an electrical output signal of the second magnitude representative of the presence of a single marking and an electrical output signal of the third magnitude representative of the presence of two markings, light sensing means associated with the most finely divided track being responsive to the absence or presence of a corresponding mark on said track to generate an electrical control signal of first or second magnitude respectively, said signal of first magnitude being of a quantity below a first predetermined level, said signal of third magnitude being of a quantity above a second predetermined level, and said signal of second magnitude being of a quantity intermediate said first predetermined level and said second predetermined level, means conducting the output signal and the control signal via a summing circuit to a discriminator ciRcuit having a predetermined threshhold value whereby the presence of an output signal in excess of said second level or the simultaneous presence of a control signal and an output signal of second magnitude will cause said discriminator circuit to generate a response signal, and means conducting said response signal to means digitally indicative of the position of the track associated with said output signal.

Claim 8

An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein for the production of the output signals at three different levels, each sensing means associated with other than the most finely divided track is arranged to scan the respectively associated track through a stepped slit.

Claim 9

An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein for the production of the output signals at three different levels, each sensing means associated with other than the most finely divided track is arranged to scan the respectively associated track through at least two slits spaced apart in the direction of the displacement of the second carrier relative to the scanning means.