Patent US5153437A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5153437A
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US
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Optical encoder having a transparent lens plate with an array of lenses
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1991-08-30
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2011-08-30
Abstract
Abstract An optical encoder is used for detecting the position, speed, acceleration etc. of a moving or rotating object. The optical encoder includes a light source, a collimator lens for collimating a light emitted from the light source, a transparent lens plate having an array of lenses formed therein at regular intervals, and a light detector located on a focal plane of the lenses lying on the side opposite to the collimator lens with respect to the lens plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Kanji Nishii
- 👤 Hiroyuki Kawamura
- 👤 Masami Ito
- 👤 Atsushi Fukui
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/36; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/347; G01D5/34707; G01D5/34715; G01D5/36; G01P3/42; G01P3/44; G01P3/48; G01P3/481; G01P3/486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
An optical encoder comprising: a light source; collimation means for collimating a light emitted from said light source; a transparent lens plate having an array of lenses formed therein at regular intervals; and light detector means located on a focal plane of said lenses lying on a side opposite to said collimation means with respect to said lens plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
An optical encoder comprising: a light source; collimation means for collimating a light emitted from said light source; a transparent lens plate having an array of lenses formed therein at regular intervals; and light detector means located on a focal plane of said lenses lying on a side opposite to said collimation means with respect to said lens plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The optical encoder according to claim 1, further comprising signal processing means for processing a signal outputted from said light detector means, thereby producing a rotational signal of which pulses appear twice whenever said array of lenses move by one pitch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical encoder according to claim 1, wherein said light detector means comprises two independent light detector elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical encoder according to claim 3, further comprising a signal combination circuit for combining signals outputted from said two light detector elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical encoder according to claim 4, further comprising threshold processing means for effecting a threshold processing with respect to a signal outputted from said signal combination circuit.
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) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |