US3744914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic positioning device
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract An automatic positioning device for automatically positioning an object in a plane comprises a light source for illuminating a member formed with an opening through which light from the light source may pass, scanning means having a chart of a predetermined period and moved at a predetermined speed, and an optical system for focusing the light passed through the opening so as to form an image of the opening on the chart. The chart is adapted to scan the image of the opening when the scanning means is moved, thus providing a light control signal of the same period as that of the chart. The light control signal is received by a photoelectric element, which converts the light control signal into an electrical control signal. Reference signal generating means is provided to generate an electrical reference signal which is synchronous with and of the same period as the electrical control signal. The electrical control signal and the electrical reference signal are applied to phase difference measuring means, which measures the phase difference between these electrical signals. Drive means is provided which is operable in response to an output signal from the phase difference measuring means to move the member formed with the opening relatively to said optical system in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system so that the difference between the electrical control and reference signals attains a predetermined level.
Inventors
- 👤 T Gonda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:28
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D3/00; G05D3/12; G05D3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
478 words
An automatic positioning device comprising: a light source; a member formed with an opening for passing therethrough light from said light source; scanning means having a chart of a predetermined period and moved at a predetermined speed, an optical system for focusing the light passed through said opening so as to form an image of said opening on said chart; said chart being adapted to scan the image of said opening when said scanning means is moved, thereby providing a light control signal of the same period as that of said chart; a photoelectric element for receiving said light control signal and converting it into an electrical control signal; reference signal generating means for generating an electrical reference signal synchronous with and of the same period as said electrical control signal; phase difference measuring means for measuring the phase difference between said electrical control signal and said electrical reference signal; and drive means operable in response to an output signal from said phase difference measuring means to move said optical system or said member formed with said opening in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said optical system so that the phase difference between said electrical control signal and said reference signal attains a predetermined level. said chart for control signal comprising a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, said first portion consisting only of a transparent section extending in the scanning direction, the width of said first portion in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction being slightly shorter than the length of the image of said opening, said second portion being projected from said first portion in one of the directions perpendicular to the scanning direction and consisting of transparent sections and opaque sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so that a set of them forms one period, said third portion being projected from said first portion in the other direction perpendicular to said scanning direction and consisting of transparent sections and opaque sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so as to have the same period as and the opposite phase to said second portion; said reference signal generating means including a chart holding member moved synchronously with said scanning means and having a chart for reference signal comprising transparent sections and opaque sections alternately arranged so as to have the same period as said second and third portions of said chart for control signal; a reference signal light source for illuminating said chart for reference signal; and a photoelectric element for receiving light from said reference signal light source scanned by said chart for reference signal and converting it into an electrical reference signal; said drive means being adapted to move said optical system or said member formed with said opening so that the image of said opening is moved in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
478 words
An automatic positioning device comprising: a light source; a member formed with an opening for passing therethrough light from said light source; scanning means having a chart of a predetermined period and moved at a predetermined speed, an optical system for focusing the light passed through said opening so as to form an image of said opening on said chart; said chart being adapted to scan the image of said opening when said scanning means is moved, thereby providing a light control signal of the same period as that of said chart; a photoelectric element for receiving said light control signal and converting it into an electrical control signal; reference signal generating means for generating an electrical reference signal synchronous with and of the same period as said electrical control signal; phase difference measuring means for measuring the phase difference between said electrical control signal and said electrical reference signal; and drive means operable in response to an output signal from said phase difference measuring means to move said optical system or said member formed with said opening in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said optical system so that the phase difference between said electrical control signal and said reference signal attains a predetermined level. said chart for control signal comprising a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, said first portion consisting only of a transparent section extending in the scanning direction, the width of said first portion in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction being slightly shorter than the length of the image of said opening, said second portion being projected from said first portion in one of the directions perpendicular to the scanning direction and consisting of transparent sections and opaque sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so that a set of them forms one period, said third portion being projected from said first portion in the other direction perpendicular to said scanning direction and consisting of transparent sections and opaque sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so as to have the same period as and the opposite phase to said second portion; said reference signal generating means including a chart holding member moved synchronously with said scanning means and having a chart for reference signal comprising transparent sections and opaque sections alternately arranged so as to have the same period as said second and third portions of said chart for control signal; a reference signal light source for illuminating said chart for reference signal; and a photoelectric element for receiving light from said reference signal light source scanned by said chart for reference signal and converting it into an electrical reference signal; said drive means being adapted to move said optical system or said member formed with said opening so that the image of said opening is moved in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
296 words
An automatic positioning device comprising: an optical system for forming an image of an object; scanning means provided with a movable chart for scanning said image, said movable chart including a neutral portion extending in the scanning direction, a first portion being projected from said neutral portion in one of the directions perpendicular to the scanning direction and having first sections and second sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so that a set of them forms one period, and a second portion being projected from said neutral portion in the other direction perpendicular to the scanning direction and having third sections and fourth sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so as to have the same period as, and a phAse different from, said first portion; photoelectrical converting means adapted to receive said image scanned by said movable chart, said photoelectrical converting means converting said image scanned on said first portion into a first electrical control signal having the same period as said first portion and converting said image scanned on said second portion into a second electrical control signal having the same period as said second portion; reference signal generating means for generating an electrical reference signal synchronous with movement of said movable chart, said electrical reference signal having the same period as said first and second electrical signals; phase difference measuring means connected to said photoelectrical converting means and to said reference signal generating means for measuring the phase difference between said electrical control and reference signals and for generating an output corresponding to the measured phase difference; and drive means operable in response to said output from said phase difference measuring means to move at least said optical system or said object so as to position said image to said neutral portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
296 words
An automatic positioning device comprising: an optical system for forming an image of an object; scanning means provided with a movable chart for scanning said image, said movable chart including a neutral portion extending in the scanning direction, a first portion being projected from said neutral portion in one of the directions perpendicular to the scanning direction and having first sections and second sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so that a set of them forms one period, and a second portion being projected from said neutral portion in the other direction perpendicular to the scanning direction and having third sections and fourth sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so as to have the same period as, and a phAse different from, said first portion; photoelectrical converting means adapted to receive said image scanned by said movable chart, said photoelectrical converting means converting said image scanned on said first portion into a first electrical control signal having the same period as said first portion and converting said image scanned on said second portion into a second electrical control signal having the same period as said second portion; reference signal generating means for generating an electrical reference signal synchronous with movement of said movable chart, said electrical reference signal having the same period as said first and second electrical signals; phase difference measuring means connected to said photoelectrical converting means and to said reference signal generating means for measuring the phase difference between said electrical control and reference signals and for generating an output corresponding to the measured phase difference; and drive means operable in response to said output from said phase difference measuring means to move at least said optical system or said object so as to position said image to said neutral portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said image of said object is a light image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said reference signal generating means includes: a light source; a chart holding member moved synchronously with said movable chart of said scanning means and having a reference signal chart for scanning the light from said light source, said reference signal chart having fifth sections and sixth sections alternately arranged in the scanning direction so that a set of them forms the same period as said first and second portions; and photoelectrical converting means for the reference signal adapted to receive the light scanned by said reference signal chart for converting said scanned light into said electrical reference signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein the phase of said second portion is opposite to that of said first portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein the width of said neutral portion in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction is slightly shorter than the length of said image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said first and third sections are transparent, said second and fourth sections are opaque, and said movable chart of said scanning means is interposed between said optical system and said photoelectrical converting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said neutral portion is transparent so that said photo-electrical converting means converts said image positioned on said neutral portion into a non-periodical electrical control signal, and said drive means stops movement of at least said optical system or said object when said phase difference measuring means measures the phase difference between said electrical reference signal and said electrical non-periodical control signal to generate an output corresponding to said measured phase difference.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said neutral portion and said first and third sections each include transparent parts and opaque parts alternately arranged in the scanning direction so that a set of said transparent and opaque parts form a period smaller that that of said first and second portions, and said second and fourth sections are opaque, and further comprising means connected between said photoelectrical converting means and said phase difference measuring means for selecting an electrical signal having the same period as said electrical reference signal out of said electrical control signals converted by said photoelectrical converting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said selecting means is a tuning amplifier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3348050A
Cited
US3356849A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |