Photosensor array for optical encoder

Abstract

An optical encoder. A reflective optical encoder includes a reflective coding element, a plurality of emitters, and a detector. The reflective coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections. Each of the plurality of emitters is configured to generate corresponding light signals incident on the track of the coding element. The detector is configured to detect the corresponding light signals reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. In one embodiment, the detector includes a plurality of photosensors positioned in separate photosensor groupings, and each photosensor grouping corresponds to one of the plurality of emitters. Embodiments of the optical encoder are suitable for small form factor encoders and improve the ease encoder assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.