US4912389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary position detector for stepping motor
Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
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Filing: 1988-12-05
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Granted: 1990-03-27
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Expires: 2008-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A sector is provided on a rotary shaft of a stepping motor. Two end edges of this sector define two reference positions. When a sensor detects one of the end edges, a reset signal generator generates a reset signal to reset a counter which counts driving pulses for the stepping motor or fractions thereof. The reset signal generator also generates a distinguishing signal representing which end edge of the sector is detected. The rotary position of the stepping motor is determined based on the content of the counter and the distinguishing signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Norio Eguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/34; H; H02; H02P; H02P6/00; H02P6/14; H02P6/16; H02P8/00; H02P8/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In a rotary position detector which has a counter that counts driving pulses for driving a stepping motor or fractions thereof, and means to reset said counter by a reset signal; the improvement comprising: signal means which rotates upon rotation of a driving shaft of a stepping motor, said signal means having a circumferential length such that leading and trailing end edges of said signal means define first and second rotary reference positions; a sensor for detecting passage of said signal means and for generating electric signals according to detection of said passage; means for generating reset signals upon detecting a said end edge of said electrical signals and for generating distinguishing signals for discriminating between said reference positions; and means for determining the rotary position of said stepping motor by reference to the contents of said counter and said distinguishing signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a rotary position detector which has a counter that counts driving pulses for driving a stepping motor or fractions thereof, and means to reset said counter by a reset signal; the improvement comprising: signal means which rotates upon rotation of a driving shaft of a stepping motor, said signal means having a circumferential length such that leading and trailing end edges of said signal means define first and second rotary reference positions; a sensor for detecting passage of said signal means and for generating electric signals according to detection of said passage; means for generating reset signals upon detecting a said end edge of said electrical signals and for generating distinguishing signals for discriminating between said reference positions; and means for determining the rotary position of said stepping motor by reference to the contents of said counter and said distinguishing signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means is secured to said driving shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means is secured to a rotating member which rotates with said driving shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second rotary reference positions are spaced apart 180°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 4, wherein said signal means has a semicircular shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 2, wherein said signal means is semicircular and incorporated in said stepping motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 3, wherein said rotating member is a reel of a slot machine and is provided with symbols on a peripheral surface of the reel at a regular spacing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a light-emitting means for emitting light and a light-receiving means for receiving said light and for generating said electric signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 8, wherein said signal means is a light-shielding member and passes between said light-emitting means and said photosensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a rotary position detector which has a counter that counts driving pulses for driving a stepping motor or fractions thereof, and means to reset said counter by a reset signal; the improvement comprising: signal means which rotates upon rotation of a driving shaft of a stepping motor, said signal means having a circumferential length such that leading and trailing end edges of said signal means define first and second rotary reference positions; a sensor for detecting passage of said signal means and for generating electric signals according to detection of said passage; means for generating reset signals upon detecting a said one edge of said electrical signals and for generating distinguishing signals for discriminating between said reference positions; means connected with said generating means for storing said distinguishing signals; and means for determining the rotary position of said stepping motor by reference to the contents of said counter and said storing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a rotary position detector which has a counter that counts driving pulses for driving a stepping motor or fractions thereof, and means to reset said counter by a reset signal; the improvement comprising: signal means which rotates upon rotation of a driving shaft of a stepping motor, said signal means having a circumferential length such that leading and trailing end edges of said signal means define first and second rotary reference positions; a sensor for detecting passage of said signal means and for generating electric signals according to detection of said passage; means for generating reset signals upon detecting a said one edge of said electrical signals and for generating distinguishing signals for discriminating between said reference positions; means connected with said generating means for storing said distinguishing signals; and means for determining the rotary position of said stepping motor by reference to the contents of said counter and said storing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 10, wherein said signal means is secured to said driving shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 10, wherein said signal means is secured to a rotating member which rotates with said driving shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 10, wherein said first and second rotary reference positions are spaced apart 180°.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 13, wherein said signal means has a semi-circular shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 11, wherein said signal means is semi-circular and incorporated in said stepping motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 12, wherein said rotating member is a reel of a slot machine and is provided with symbols on a peripheral surface of the reel at a regular spacing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 10, wherein said sensor comprises a light-emitting means for emitting light and a light-receiving means for receiving said light and for generating said electric signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rotary position detector for a stepping motor as defined in claim 17, wherein said signal means is a light-shielding member and passes between said light-emitting means and said photosensor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-26 | 1993-09-25 | 1994-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-26 | 1997-09-25 | 1998-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-26 | 2001-09-25 | 2002-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |