Angular and axial position sensor arrangement

A method of determining angular position and axial position of an encoded member by means of a sensor arrangement that includes L axially adjacent sensors, where L is a whole number greater than or equal to 2, and an encoded member that is angularly and axially displaceable relative to the sensors, wherein the encoded member includes N axial detection encoded rings, which are axially adjacent, and where N is a whole number greater than or equal to 2, for which N−1 adjacent axial detection encoded rings are with value A along their entire circumference and an Nth encoded ring is with value B, different from value A, along its entire circumference, said values A and B being distinguishable by one or several of the L sensors to determine an axial position of the encoded member, in a first axial position with the first sensor overlapping the first axial detection encoded ring, and in an Nth axial position with the first sensor overlapping the Nth axial detection encoded ring, and wherein the encoded member comprises M angular detection encoded rings, the first of which is axially adjacent to the Nth axial detection encoded ring of the N axial detection encoded rings, where M is a whole number greater than or equal to 1, and wherein the M encoded rings comprise a coding pattern composed of A and B values along their circumference to determine angular position by the sensors, the method, comprising:

• receiving L signals from the L sensors;
• analyzing the L signals to at least determine the axial position of the encoded member, in which a measurement unit coupled to the L sensors determines the axial position by counting the number of A values that are measured before the first B value from the N axial detection encoded rings detected by the sensors;
• and
• changing a mode of an electronic instrument based on the determined axial position.