Apparatus for magnetically transfering control information from a rotary knob
AssigneeAlto Technologies, Inc.
InventorStephen J. Scarlata
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for magnetically transferring control information from a rotary knob with a knob mounted in a manner which facilitates rotation, a magnetic material about the circumference of the knob with alternating field lines perpendicular to the direction of knob rotation, a magnetic detector, an electronic circuit for decoding the detected magnetic variations corresponding to knob rotation, and a frame upon which the knob and magnetic sensor are mounted. In a preferred embodiment, the knob is designed in such a manner as to provide an environmental seal between the front and rear side of the frame to which it is mounted.
Claims7
An apparatus for magnetically transferring control information from a rotary knob comprising:
- an impermeable frame;
- a knob mounted on one side of said frame to rotate in a plane;
- a magnetic material about the circumference of the knob with alternating field lines perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said knob;
- wherein said frame includes a pocket located underneath said knob;
- a magnetic detector on the other side of said frame from said knob and within said pocket, for detecting magnetic variations as said knob is rotated;
- and
- an electronic circuit for decoding the detected magnetic variations corresponding to knob rotation.
The apparatus for magnetically transferring control information from a rotary knob of clam 1, further comprising a PC board mounted behind said frame which houses said magnetic sensor and said electronic circuitry.
An apparatus for magnetically transferring control information from a rotary knob comprising:
- an impermeable frame;
- a knob mounted on one side of said frame to rotate in a plane, and carrying a ferrous toothed ring;
- a fixed magnetic member located on one side of said ring;
- wherein said frame includes a pocket located underneath said knob;
- a magnetic detector on the other side of said frame from said knob and within said pocket, and located on the other side of said ring, so that the rotation of said ring along with said knob produces magnetic flux variations, said magnetic detector detecting magnetic variations as said knob is rotated;
- and
- an electronic circuit for decoding the detected magnetic variations corresponding to knob rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.