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.

Date of Patent:
Nov. 17, 2009

Filed:

Jul. 05, 2007
Applicants:

Takanori Otsuka, Utsunomiya, JP;

Kazuhiko Kodama, Utsunomiya, JP;

Inventors:

Takanori Otsuka, Utsunomiya, JP;

Kazuhiko Kodama, Utsunomiya, JP;

Assignee:

Mitutoyo Corporation, Kawasaki-shi, JP;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01B 11/02 (2006.01); G01B 9/02 (2006.01); G01D 5/36 (2006.01); G01N 21/86 (2006.01); G01V 8/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

An optical encoder which is designed to convert light generated from a light source into parallel light rays by using a collimator lens, thereby allowing the collimated light to radiate to gratings (a first grating, a second grating and a third grating). A diffusing element (a diffusion plate or a diffusion surface) is provided between the light source and the collimator lens to mitigate the parallelization degree of light, thereby weakening the second-order and the third-order or high-order diffraction light. Consequently, even where a light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode (LD) is used as the light source, a favorable interference output can be obtained.


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