Coded data generation or conversion – Digital pattern reading type converter – Optical
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-08-14
Young, Brian (Department: 2819)
Coded data generation or conversion
Digital pattern reading type converter
Optical
C250S231130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275173
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary encoder able to produce two output signals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a single rotary encoder that can be used as both a shuttle switch and a mode switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrate two rotary encoders according to the prior art. In
FIG. 1
, a light receiving plate
24
and a light encoding plate
23
are engaged to the cylinder of a fixing base
27
so as to be rotatable about a shaft
11
, and an output signal is produced by the rotation of fixing base
27
. Similarly, in
FIG. 2
a light emitting diode
20
is supported by support
30
so as to transmit light through holes in plate
1
to be received by a light receiver beneath the plate
1
(not shown), by which means a pulse signal is generated by alternating the receiving and not receiving of light by the light receiver. These types of rotary encoder can be applied as a shuttle switch to control a parameter of an electronic device, for example the brightness of a computer monitor.
However, in practical application, an electronic device usually has a plurality of parameters that the user needs to control. For example, a computer monitor might have the parameters brightness, sharpness, and color. To allow control of these three parameters, the monitor would require three shuttle switches. As an alternative, a monitor could include a mode switch for each of the parameters and a single shuttle switch. If the user desired to adjust the contrast, he could press the mode switch corresponding to contrast and then use the shuttle switch for adjusting the value.
In both of these examples, a plurality of switches are required to control a plurality of parameters. This increases the cost of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a single rotary encoder that can provide two output signals and operate as both a shuttle switch and a mode switch.
To achieve the above object, this invention provides a rotary encoder able to produce a first output signal and a second output signal comprising: a rotary wheel having an inside wall; a frame for supporting the rotary wheel; an elastic means disposed on the frame for providing elastic force to the inside wall of the rotary wheel; a plate mounted on and rotating with the rotary wheel, the plate being provided with a plurality of apertures arranged at a predetermined pitch circularly around an axis of rotation of the plate; an axial rod having a distal portion and extending perpendicularly from the plate; a switch disposed in proximity to the distal portion of the axial rod, wherein pressure applied to the rotary wheel will cause the elastic means to compress and shift the axis of the wheel and plate such that axial rod contacts the switch and produces the first output signal; a light transmitter provided on one side of the plate; and a light receiver provided on the other side of the plate; wherein the light transmitter and light receiver are arranged so that light from the light transmitter travels through an aperture in the plate and is received by the light receiver when rotation of the plate is such that the aperture and the light transmitter are aligned, and light from the light transmitter is blocked by the plate when rotation of the plate is such that an aperture and the light transmitter are not aligned; wherein the receiving or not receiving of light by the light receiver produces the second output signal. The elastic means may comprise a spring with a rotating means disposed between the spring and the inner wall of the rotary wheel. The rotating means could be a roller.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5786593 (1998-07-01), Ohtomo
patent: 5949067 (1999-09-01), Sano
Acer Peripherals Inc.
Ladas & Parry
Young Brian
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