Optical potentiometer

A optical potentiometer, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source within said housing;
• a light source within said housing in juxtaposition to said light source;
• and
• a media of varying optical density maintained between said light source and light sensor, said media adapted for relative movement between said light source and light sensor, wherein said media comprises a film of circular configuration, wherein said film is connected to a handle for rotation between said light source and light sensor, and wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting members and said light sensor comprises an equal plurality of light sensing members, one light sensing member uniquely associated with each light emitting member wherein said film is divided into an equal plurality of tracks, one said track uniquely associated with each said pair of uniquely associated light-emitting and sensing members, and wherein said film is digitally conded, each said track representing a specific digital power.

An optical potentiometer, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source within said housing;
• a light sensor within said housing;
• and
• selectively moveable reflecting means within said housing for receiving light from said light source and reflecting a quantum of said light to said light sensor as a function of the position of said reflecting means within said housing, said light sensor providing an output signal corresponding to said quantum of light sensed thereby, and wherein said reflecting means comprises a slide having angled reflective surfaces thereon, a first reflective surface in alignment with said light source and receiving light therefrom, and a second reflective surface in alignment with said light sensor and transmitting light thereto.

An optical potentiometer, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source within said housing;
• a light sensor within said housing in juxtaposition to said light source;
• and
• a solid media of varying optical density maintained between said light source and light sensor, said media adapted for relative movement between said light source and light sensor.

A digital encoder, comprising:

• a housing;
• a switch pad maintained along an inner first side of said housing;
• and
• a slide received within a second side of said housing opposite said first side, said slide movable along said second side and having a bar transversely engaging said switch pad for selectively activating transverse areas of said switch pad.

An opticasl potentiometer, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source within said housing;
• a light sensor within said housing;
• and
• selectively moveable reflecting means within said housing for receiving light from said light source and reflecting a quantum of said light to said light sensor as a function of the position of said reflecting means within said housing, said light sensor providing an output signal corresponding to said quantum of light sensed thereby, wherein said reflecting means comprises a slide having angled reflective surfaces thereon, a first reflective surface in alignment with said light source and receiving light therefrom, and a second reflective surface in alignment with said light sensor and transmitting light thereto, wherein said first reflective surface is angled to reflect light from said light source to said second reflective surface, said second reflective surface angled to transmit said reflected light to said light sensor, said optical potentiometer further including a media between said first and second reflective surfaces extending longitudinal within said housing, said media having varying light passing characteristics along the length thereof, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of collimated light beams and said light sensor comprises an equal plurality of photodetectors, each photodetector uniquely associated with a separate one of said collimated light beams, wherein said media comprises a coded film having uniquely positioned transparent and opaque areas thereon, and wherein said film has a plurality of coded tracks thereon equal to the plurality of paired photodectors and light beams.

An optical potentiometer, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source within said housing;
• a light sensor within said housing and
• selectively moveable reflecting means within said housing for receiving light from said light source and reflecting a quantum of said light to said light sensor as a fucntion of the position of said reflecting means within said housing, said light sensor providing an output signal corresponding to said quantum of light sensed thereby, wherein said reflecting means comprises a slide having angled reflective surfaces thereon, a first reflective surface in alignment with said light source and receiving light therefrom, and second reflective surface in alginment with said light sensor and transmitting light thereto, wherein said first reflective surface is angled to reflect light from said light source to said second reflective surface, said second reflective surface angled to transmit said reflected light to said light sensor, said optical potentiometer further including a media between said first and and second reflective surfaces extending longitudinally within said housing, said media having varying light passing characteristics along the length thereof, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of collimated light beams and said light sensor comprises an equal plurality of photodetectors, each photodetector uniquely associated with a separate one of said collimated light beams, wherein said media comprises a coded film having uniquely positioned transparent and opaque are as thereon, wherein said film has a plurality of coded tracks thereon equal to the plurality of paired photodectors and light beams, and wherein said film is binary coded.

An optical potentiometer, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source within said housing;
• a light sensor within said housing;
• and
• selectively moveable reflecting means within said housing for receving light from said light source and reflecting a quantum of said light to said light sensor as a function of the position of said reflecting means within said housing, said light sensor providing an output signal corresponding to said quantum of light sensed thereby, wherein said reflecting means comprises a slide having angled reflective surfaces thereon, a first reflective surface in alignment with said light source and receiving light therefrom, and a second reflective surface in alignment with said light sensor and transmitting light thereto, wherein said first reflective surface is angled to reflect light from said light source to said second reflective surface, said second reflective surface angled to transmit said reflected light to said light sensor, said optical potentiometer further including a media between said first and second reflective surfaces extending longitudinally within said housing, said media having varying light passign characteristics along the length thereof, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of collimated light beams and said light sensor comprises an equal plurality of photodetectors, each photodetector uniquely associated with a separate one of said collimated light beams, wherein said media comprises a coded film having uniquely positioned transparent and opaque areas thereon, wherein said film has a plurality of coded tracks thereon equal to the plurality of paired photodetectors and light beams, wherein said film is binary coded, and wherein said light beams are generated by a collimated light source connected to a plurality of optical fibers.

An optical potentiometer, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source within said housing;
• a light source within said housing in juxtapositioned to said light source;
• and
• a media of varying optical density maintained between saids light source and light sensor, said media adapted for relative movement between said light source and light sensor, wherein said media comprises a film of circular configuration, wherein said film is connected to a handle for rotation between said light source and light sensor, and wherien said light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting members and said light sensor comprises an equal plurality of light sensing members, one light sensing member uniquely associated with each light emitting member and wherein said film is divided into an equal plurality of tracks, one said track uniquely associated with each said pair of uniquely associated light emitting and sensing members.