Optical grid enhancement for improved motor location

A computerized method for utilizing a motor to locate a target between visual elements of an optical grid, the method comprising:

• accessing a pattern of transitions derived from measuring one or more beams refracted from the optical grid;
• calibrating the motor by counting clock cycles of spacing that separate adjacent transitions within the pattern of transitions;
• using the pattern of transitions to advance the motor in a forward direction at a non-linear rate;
• upon reaching the target, stopping the motor and counting clock cycles between the target and a transition, within the pattern of transitions, immediately before the target;
• operating the motor in a reverse direction until the target and the transition immediately before the target are passed;
• and
• using the counted clock cycles to advance the motor from the transition immediately before the target in the forward direction at a linear rate to locate the target.

A computer system for performing a method of locating a target on a substrate, the computer system comprising a processor coupled to a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer-software components executable by the processor, the computer software components comprising:

• a resolution component that receives inputs from one or more light sensor provided within an optical grid, wherein the inputs indicate one or more beams of light refracting off the substrate and meeting the one or more light sensors;
• a processing component that performs an exclusive-or operation using the inputs received by the resolution component and that generates a pattern of transitions from results of the exclusive-or operation;
• a characterization component that calibrates a motor, wherein the motor calibration determines a non-linear operating region and a linear operating region of the motor, and wherein the motor is configured to move the substrate forward or rearward with respect to the optical grid;
• and
• a communication component that interacts with the motor to locate the target using the pattern of transitions, wherein locating the target comprises:
• (a) identifying a particular transition within the pattern of transitions that exists a number of clock cycles before the target;
• (b) counting down the number of clock cycles while the motor is moving the substrate within the linear operating region from the particular transition toward the target;
• and
• (c) instructing the motor to stop movement of the substrate upon the clock cycles being count down, wherein the one or more light sensors are substantially aligned with the target upon stopping the motor.