Ternary Gray Code Optical Reader for Precision Length Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring instruments face challenges in reducing size and improving reading accuracy when using color patterns for measuring dimensions, often resulting in errors due to binary changes at the boundaries of adjacent color patterns.
Innovation Solution
The development of a measuring instrument that employs a ternary Gray code with color patterns arranged such that the change in values between adjacent patterns is minimized, using LEDs and phototransistors to read the color patterns and calculate the measurement object's length with reduced error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If binary codes with white dots and black dots are used for optical reading, then measurement data can be transmitted automatically, but reading errors occur at the boundaries of adjacent color patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the numerical base from binary (2-ary) to ternary (3-ary) numbering system. This parameter change allows the use of three colors (white, blue, black) instead of two, enabling the representation of three different values (0, 1, 2) per digit. This fundamental parameter change resolves the boundary reading error problem by eliminating binary transitions at pattern boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes as the core encoding mechanism. Instead of using only black and white dots, it introduces a third color (blue) to represent ternary values. The color sequence white-blue-black corresponds to values 0-1-2. This color-based encoding system allows adjacent patterns to change by only one color value, preventing the binary boundary errors that occur with black-white transitions.
2Measurement precision
If the number of digits in the code is increased to improve precision, then measurement accuracy improves, but the size of the measuring instrument increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from binary to ternary numbering system, each digit position can represent three values instead of two. This increases the information density per digit, allowing for more precise measurements with fewer digits. For example, a 3-digit ternary code can represent 27 different values (0-26), while a 4-digit binary code is needed to represent the same range (0-15). This parameter change directly reduces the physical size requirement of the measuring instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the encoding system by introducing color as a third degree of freedom. Instead of varying only the presence/absence of dots (binary), it uses color variation (white, blue, black) to encode information. This dimensional expansion allows more information to be packed into the same physical space, improving precision without increasing size.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances measurement accuracy by minimizing binary changes between adjacent color patterns, reducing errors, and allowing for more precise length calculations without increasing the number of digits or the size of the measuring instrument.
Implementation Method 1
a signal reader having a light emitter and a light receiver that reads a signal reflected from the measure, the signal including the measurement data
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring instrument includes: a measure on which a code having color patterns is printed; a plurality of first readers that optically read colors of first ranges in first patterns corresponding to digits except a least significant digit among the color patterns, the first ranges in the first patterns being arranged in a second direction; and a plurality of second readers that optically read colors of second ranges in second patterns arranged in a first direction corresponding to patterns of the least significant digit among the color patterns, the second ranges being arranged in the first direction at an interval different from a width of the pattern in the first direction.