US 4,229,647 A · Counter system for incremental measuring instrument

Abstract

An improved electronic counter for use with an incremental measuring device is disclosed. The counter includes two or more individual counters, a display unit, and a switch for selectively connecting any one of the individual counters with the display unit. Each of the individual counters may be individually set to a separate zero point so that each counter may be used to store a position value in a separate frame of reference. The position value stored in any one of the individual counters may be switched to the display unit without disturbing the contents of the other individual counters. In the preferred embodiment, the counter includes a circuit for automatically resetting a first individual counter to zero whenever the measuring device senses a predetermined reference mark, thereby automatically maintaining a calibrated zero point in that counter. The preferred embodiment also includes a power fail circuit which generates a warning signal when the measuring device is operated following an interruption in the line voltage used to power the device. This warning signal is maintained until the first individual counter is automatically reset, and the device is again calibrated for use.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An electronic counter system for an incremental measuring device for measuring the position of a first object relative to a second object, said counter system comprising:

first counter means for storing any of a plurality of position values representative of the position of the first object measured in a first reference frame;
first means for setting the first counter means by storing a first pre-selected position value in the first counter means in order to set the zero point of the first counter means to correspond to said first reference frame;
second counter means for storing any of a plurality of position values representative of the relative position of the first object measured in a second reference frame;
second means for setting the second counter means by storing a second pre-selected position value, independent of said first pre-selected value, in the second counter means in order to set the zero point of the second counter means to correspond to said second reference frame;
means for utilizing the position values stored in first and second counter means;
and
switching means for selectively and alternately connecting the first and second counter means to the utilizing means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Counter system for incremental measuring instrument

Life of this patent

Counter system for incremental measuring instrument

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9