The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 14, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 02, 2000
Chi-Jung Wu, Taoyuan, TW;
Acer Peripherals, Inc., Taoyuan, TW;
Abstract
A rotary encoder able to produce a first output signal and a second output signal. The rotary encoder of this invention includes a rotary wheel supported by a frame. An elastic means disposed on the frame provides elastic force to the inside wall of the rotary wheel. A plate is mounted on and rotates with the rotary wheel, and there are a plurality of apertures arranged at a predetermined pitch circularly around an axis of rotation of the plate. An axial rod extends perpendicularly from the center of the plate. Pressure applied to the rotary wheel causes the elastic means to compress and shifts the axis of the wheel and plate such that axial rod contacts a switch and produces the first output signal. A second output signal is produced by a light transmitter located on one side of the plate and a light receiver located on the other side of the plate, wherein the light transmitter and light receiver are arranged so that light passes 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 is blocked by the plate when rotation of the plate is such that an aperture and the light transmitter are not aligned.