US3914582A

US3914582A - Display system and method for registration control equipment

Info

Publication number: US3914582A
Application number: US473707A
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel A Coberley; Mark Resh
Original assignee: HurletronAltair Inc
Current assignee: HurletronAltair Inc
Priority date: 1974-05-28
Filing date: 1974-05-28
Publication date: 1975-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-21

Abstract

A display system is disclosed which operates its repetitive horizontal deflection as a function of encoder pulses keyed to web movement (rather than time), and which displays scanner signals as vertical deflection. For accurate viewing, the full horizontal deflection can take place while scanning a fraction of the repeat length of the web. In order to select marks for registration control, the portion of a repeat length to be displayed can be continuously changed until potentially suitable marks appear on the display, whereupon such marks can be checked for stability, and spurious signals can be excluded from the inspection zone, since horizontal deflection is precisely locked to the desired portion of the repeat length and is synchronized with the inspection zone of the registration control. A master unit including the display apparatus can be selectively coupled with a number of different work stations in succession and can selectively display outputs of one or both of a pair of scanners at each station.

Description

United States Patent Coberley et al.

[54] DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REGISTRATION CONTROL EQUIPMENT [75] Inventors: Daniel A. Coberley, Danville; Mark Resh, Urbana, both of Ill.

[73] Assignee: Hurletron Altair, Danville, ll].

[22] Filed: May 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 473,707

[52] US. Cl 235/92 MP; 235/92 DN; 235/92 V; 235/92 R; 340/259 [51] Int. Cl. 606M 3/02 [58] Field of Search........ 235/92 MP, 92 V, 92 CV, 235/92 DN; 250/563, 561, 559, 571; 340/259, 324 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,812,351 5/1974 Coberley 235/92 MP Primary ExaminerJoseph M. Thesz, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmHill, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT A display system is disclosed which operates its repetitive horizontal deflection as a function of encoder pulses keyed to web movement (rather than time), and which displays scanner signals as vertical deflection. For accurate viewing, the full horizontal deflection can take place while scanning a fraction of the repeat length of the web. In order to select marks for registration control, the portion of a repeat length to be displayed can be continuously changed until potentially suitable marks appear on the display, whereupon such marks can be checked for stability, and spurious signals can be excluded from the inspection zone, since horizontal deflection is precisely locked to the desired portion of the repeat length and is synchronized with the inspection zone of the registration control. A master unit including the display apparatus can be selectively coupled with a number of different work stations in succession and can selectively display outputs of one or both of a pair of scanners at each station.

6 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet10f7 3,914,582

Sheet 2 of 7 Patent Oct. 21, 1975 US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet30f7 3,914,582

NXQQN Sheet 6 of 7 US. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REGISTRATION CONTROL EQUIPMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In setting up registration control systems, it is essential to select marks for control purposes which occur reliably in the successive repeat lengths of the web and to exclude spurious marks from the inspection zone of the control. Longitudinal or lateral control of the web relative to a work station can be effected by selecting a suitable pair of marks and producing pulses as a function thereof during scanning of each repeat length of the web. Typically once suitable marks have been selected, the system is adjusted to that the pulses will occur in time coincidence when the web is in proper longitudinal or lateral register condition. Phase errors between such pulses can be used to generate error signals, and the web can be acted upon in response to such error signals to tend to maintain the desired register condition. Such controls may include blanking circuitry such that only pulses occurring during a fractional part of each cycle of operation will be processed for control purpose. The time interval in each cycle of operation when scanner pulses are accepted may be termed an inspection zone, and the system may be visualized as having an inspection window of limited extent through which a given section of the repeat length of the web will be viewed in each cycle of operation. By the provision of such an inspection window, and proper selection of the marks to be used for control purposes, spurious signals due to extraneous markings on the web can be excluded so as to insure a reliable operation of the registration control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a display system and method for use with registration controls, and to a registration sensing system.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a display system and method for displaying scanner signals during set-up of a registration control which display system provides for a high resolution display of a fraction of a repeat length of the web, but yet enables a convenient and simple progressive examination of the entire repeat length and a reliable locking onto a potential inspection zone, with the result that unstable or spurious scanner signals are readily discovered and excluded from the inspection window.

Another object of the invention is to provide a master display unit for a registration control which can be readily coupled to a series of work stations in succes sion during a set-up operation and wherein the outputs of one or both of a pair of scanners at each station are readily displayed.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a single multitum continuous adjustment knob for manual turning to progressively examine successive potential inspection zones relative to the repeat length of a moving web. When rotation of the knob is interrupted the display is locked to the web so as to provide an apprently stationary view of the signals occurring during a potential inspection zone, that is a view through the inspection window. The cycling of a scan gate counter can be synchronized with the horizontal deflection of the display so that the inspection window of the register control will be accurately displayed for each setting of the adjustment knob.

A further object of the invention is to provide a register error sensing system for progressively adjusting the set point of the system in a convenient and economical manner.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a continuously operable analog setting control for selectively setting any of a series of analog values of an analog characteristic within a given range, a cyclically operable pulse responsive generator generating an analog signal successively changing in the analog characteristics thereof over the given range, and the set point for the register error sensing circuit bearing a fixed relationship to the instant of time when a matching relationship is established between the selected analog setting and the generator output in each generating cycle.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, althrough variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of the present invention, given by way of example and not by way of limitation;

FIG. 1A is a waveform diagram illustrating an exemplary pulse output from the index generator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is a waveform diagram illustrating an analog signal successively changing in an analog characteristic thereof in successive generating cycles of a pulse responsive generator, specifically illustrated as a repeat length ramp generator in FIG. 1;

FIG. 1C illustrates an analog variable whose analog value with respect to the analog characteristic of the waveform of FIG. 1B is progressively adjustable within the range of values illustrated in FIG. 18;

FIG. 1D illustrates the output of the analog selector circuit specifically shown as a channel amplitude selector in FIG. 1 in dependence on the amplitude setting as represented in FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1E shows scanner pulses as applied by one of the channel scanner preamplifiers of FIG. 1, the horizontal axis in FIG. 1B being in terms of encoder pulses the same as FIGS. 1A throught 1D;

FIG. 1F is a view similar to FIG. 1E, showing the output of the other channel scanner preamplifier of FIG.

FIG. 1G is a waveform diagram intended to be on the same horizontal scale as FIGS. 1A through 1F, and showing a display reference displacement signal, specifically a horizontal deflection signal from the horizontal deflection circuits component of FIG. 1, in successive cycles of the cyclically operable reference displacement generator, specifically implemented as a cyclically operable horizontal deflection counter converter in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a display as produced pursuant to the operation as illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1G, the horizontal axis in FIG. 2 representing the display reference displacement axis, and the vertical axis in FIG. 2 representing the signal display axis with respect to the display apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic electric circuit diagram illustrating a portion of a specific embodiment in accordance with the block diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the physical relationship between FIGS. 5 and 7-10, which taken together illustrate further portions of the electric circult;

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary electric circuitry for implementing the channel amplitude selector component of FIG. 1 in particular, as well as certain circuitry in accordance with the diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates circuitry which is coupled with the scope trigger output of FIG. 5 and which interconnected with the circuitry of FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 at the points indicated;

FIG. 7 illustrates certain of the scanner processing circuitry of the channel scanner processing and registration error sensing circuitry of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates certain of the registration error sensing circuitry of the channel scanner processing and registration error sensing circuitry component of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates further circuitry including a scan gate counter and an error counter of the channel 'scanner processing and registration error sensing circuitry of FIG. 1, and also illustrates certain details of the circuitry of the channel digital error display component of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 on sheet 5 of the drawings illustrates an exemplary output driving circuit which is controlled by means of relay coils diagrammatically indicated at the upper right in FIG. 8; and FIG. 10A on sheet 5 of the drawings is an exemplary detailed view of a typical embodiment of the bidirectional output servo component of FIG. 10 and showing the coupling of the output motor with an error correction device for the moving web, an edge view of the web being shown in FIG. 10A, and a diagrammatic fragmentary plan view of the web being shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

The block diagram of FIG. 1 shows components of the illustrated embodiment which are labeled so as to conform with the corresponding components of the detailed electric circuit of FIGS. 3 through 10. Thus, FIG. 1 is presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the detailed embodiment, and is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Description of FIG. 1

The present invention is particularly adapted for use with registration error sensing circuitry such as employed for the purpose of sensing a longitudinal or lateral registration condition between a moving web such as indicated at 10 and a work applying station such as work applying station B indicated diagrammatically at 11. Prior patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,201 issued Sept. 23, 1969, U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,552 issued July 20, 1971, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,601,587 and 3,624,359 will illustrate the background with reference to typical longitudinal register control systems. Entirely similar circuitry is applicable with respect to the problem of control of the lateral position of the web relative to a work applying station or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, web 10 is shown as being driven in the direction of arrow 12 by means of eration at'the work applying station B, for example.-

a suitable web drive 14. It may be assumed that at a work applying station A (not shown) marks such as indicated at Al-l through A1-6 and such as A2-l through A2-6 are applied to successive repeat lengths on the web along with patterns of work such as diagrammatically indicated at 15.

By 'way of example, at work applying station B, it may be desired to superimpose on the pattern of work 15 a further pattern of work so as to provide a resultant pattern of work as indicated at 17, the work applying station B being indicated as applying also marks Bl-l through B14 and 82-] through B2-3 (the mark B2-4, not shoyvn, being visualized as being currently applied to'the web at the work applying station B).

For the sake of maintaining a longitudinal register condition betweenthe patterns 15 applied at station A (not shown) and the further patterns applied at station B to form the composite pattern such as indicated at 17, scanners are arranged as indicated at 19 and 20 for photoelectrically sensing the passage of the respective A and B marks in longitudinal alignment therewith. The

scanners

19 and 20 produce electrical signals as a result of the contrasting light reflective properties of the marks, and these signals are supplied to respective channel scanner preamplifiers as represented by block 21 in FIG. 1. The output scanner pulses from the preamplifiers are diagrammatically indicated in FIGS. 1E and IF, the notation Al in FIG. 1E, for example, indicating a pulse produced in response to scanning of one of the marks such as Al-l on the web 10. Similarly, FIG. 1F indicates the output resulting from the sensing by scanner 20 of the different light reflective properties of the marks such as indicated at 81-1 and 82-1.

For the sake of the diagrammatic showing of FIG. 1, it is assumed that web drive 14 is suitably driven by a prime mover (not shown), and that the mechanical movement of the drive element 14 is coupled with a digital encoder component 24 and an index generator 25 by means of mechanical couplings as indicated at 26 and 28. For the sake of a specific example, it may be assumed that digital encoder 24 is driven so as to make one complete revolution during the movement of a repeat length of the web, the rotation of the digital encoder 24 being essentially in synchronism with the movement of the web, and the digital encoder providing apredetermined number of encoder pulses per revolution such as 10,000 so that each encoder pulse represents a predetermined uniform increment of movement of the web 10. FIGS. 1A through 1G each shows a horizontal axis measured in terms of encoder pulses, the number 20,000 in FIGS. 1A and 1B representing 20,000 encoder pulses, or two complete revolutions of the digital encoder 24. As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,201 for example, a single pulse per revolution of the digital encoder 24 may be generated by means of a device which is herein termed an index generator and represented by component 25. The output of the index generator is indicated in FIG. 1A as a series of pulses 3l-33, one occurring for each 10,000 pulses (indicated by the symbol ENC). The index pulses of FIG. 1A thus represent electrically the successive repeat lengths of the web 10, and serve to coordinate the cycles of operation of the electrical system with the mechanical movement of the web 10. The successive index pulses 31-33 are also coordinated with the cyclical work op- The index generator is shown as applying its index pulse output to a repeat length ramp generator component 36 so as to reset this component in preparation for a new cycle of operation. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the ramp generator 36 may respond to successive encoder pulses to provide a progressively changing amplitude output as represented in FIG. 1B. The output of the ramp generator 36 may be suppled in parallel to a number of channels, each channel associated with one of the work applying stations, and a channel amplitude selector component 38 being indicated which is associated with the work applying station B. The channel amplitude selector 38 is provided witha continuously rotatable knob 40 which in the illustrated embodiment is operable to continuously adjust an amplitude level over a range such as indicated by the arrows 42 in FIG. 1C, corresponding to the range of variation of the analog output from generator component 36 as represented in FIG. 1B. The amplitude selector .38 provides a pulse output as indicated at..43 and 44 in FIG. ID at the instant of time when the amplitude setting of knob of 40 coincides with the analog output from the ramp generator 36. Thus, the phase of the pulses 43 and 44 may vary, as a function of encoder pulses as represented by arrows 45 and 46 in dependence on the setting of the knob 40. r

. Referring to the terminology of US. Pat. No. 3,594,552, the output pulse from the amplitude selector component 38 corresponds 'to an UNIT ZERO pulse and is herein termed an initiating signal. As will be understood from a considerationof US Pat. No. 3,594,552, and particularly the tenthfig ure of this patent, the output signal from selector38 may represent the start of an inspection zone or a scanner gate interval, during which scanner pulses supply to the channel scanner processing and registration: error sensing circuitry 50 will be effective in determining the registra tion condition with respect to a given repeat length of the web. As will be understood in the art, the effective scanner pulses may give rise to registration pulses within the circuitry 50 which will be time coincident when a given repeat length of the web is in register with respect to the work station 11. The circuitry 50 receives encoder pulses from component 24 as indicated by coupling line 52 and is operable to show the number of encoder pulses corresponding to any registration error by means of the error display component 54.

' As previously discussed, in order to set up a registration error sensing circuitry, it is unnecessary to select suitable marks on the webwhich occur reliably in the successive repeat lengths, and are sufficiently clear of spurious signals so that they can be discriminated by means of the inspectionzone or inspection window of the system. In theillust-rated embodiment a cathode ray tube is indicated at 60 having a display face..62 with a horizontal or reference displacement axis and: a vertical or signal display axis.

The illustrated circuitry provides for the initation of a display cycle-offthe apparatus 60 in response to the initiating signal output from component 38. In particular a selector switch S1 is shown as having a position S1-4 whereby the switch is connectedwith the output of the selector component 38. In other positions of the selector S1, connection is made with the output of correspondingamplitude selectors with respectto other work stations (such as a work station C, notshown). With the selector S1 in the position shown, the output of selector 38 is supplied through a pulse shaper 64 so as to provide a cyclically occurring display control pulse as represented in FIG. 1D and whose occurrence relative to web movement is progressively adjustable by means of knob 40. The pulses of FIG. ID are shown as being supplied to a bistable display control circuit indicated at 66 which serves to initiate the successive display cycles by resetting an encoder pulse rate divider 68 and a cyclically operable horizontal deflection counter converter 70 in the specific illustrated embodiment. The component 70 is shown as having a switch 72 at its input for selectively supplying encoder pulses directly thereto, or supplying pulses via the pulse rate divider 68. With the switch 72 in the position shown, the display apparatus 60 will essentially provide a full horizontal deflection corresponding to the inspection zone of the circuitry 50, and this switch position has accordingly been designated 11. In the alternative lower position of switch 72, full deflection of the display apparatus 60 will take place during all revolution of encoder 24 and thus will correspond to a full repeat length on the web. The lower switch contact has accordingly been designated (F.R.). FIG. 1G shows the output from horizontal deflection circuits component 74 with the switch 72 in the upper position. As indicated in FIG. 1G and FIG. 2, under these circumstances, the full deflection of the display apparatus 60 with respect to the horizontal or reference axis will take place in response to 500 encoder pulses as supplied from component 24. Thus, the pulses appearing in FIG. 2 in solid outline, are intended to correspond to an inspection zone such as defined by the occurrence of display pulse 44 in FIG. 1D. FIG. 2 may be taken as indicating that the pulse A2 which occurs in response to marks such as A2-l and A2-2 during continuous movement of the web, will not be displayed since it occurs outside of the 500 encoder pulse inspection zone which is actually shown at the display face 62 of apparatus 60 in response to a display signal 44.

Component may conveniently comprise a counter for counting encoder pulses and for actuating gate 76 at such time as the counter has reached a count of 500. Thus at the end of the 500 count interval indicated in FIG. 2, gate 76 will signal the display control circuits 66 and thus cause the termination of a display cycle prior to the occurence of the signal as indicated at A2 in FIG. 1E and FIG. 2. The counter of component 70 may drive a digital to analog converter also a part of component 70 and the output of the digital to analog converter of component 70 may supply the input to the horizontal deflection circuits 74 so as to provide the deflection signal as represented in FIG. 1G.

As further represented in FIG. 1, the scanner signals of FIGS. 1E and IF may be selected by means of selector switches S2 and S3 which may be ganged for joint operation with selector S1. Thus, selectors S2 and S3 are shown as disposed at positions S2-4 and S3-4 so as to receive the scanner signals with reference to station B. These scanner signals are supplied to a vertical deflection control input signal circuits component 80 which in turn controls the vertical or signal display axis of apparatus 60 corresponding to the vertical axis in FIG. 2. For displaying the outputs of both scanners l9 and 20 during an inspection zone interval, the output of display'control circuit 66 may be coupled to the clock'input of a J K flip-flop 82, the outputs of the flipflop alternately enabling transmission of the A and B scanner signals, so that a signal A1 is generated during one display cycle, and a signal B2 is generated in the next display cycle, the two signals being in effect superimposed on the display face 62 where the display face 62 has a suitable persistence or other memory feature, properly related to the normal operating speed range of the web 10. Thus if at a normal speed of the web, move-, ment would be at a rate of two repeat lengths per second, then the display apparatus 60 should be capable of providing a persistent signal without substantial flicker where the signals occur at the rate of one pulse per second. Of course, the persistence of the display face 62 should not be such as to interfere with an accurate appraisal of the currently occurring scanner pulses.

Description of the Circuitry of FIGS. 3 A

Certain of the circuit detail of the illustrated circuit is similar in principle so that described in detail US. Pat. No. 3,812,351 issued May 21, 1974, so that a less detailed description is suitable herein. In numerous cases, as in the mentioned patent, reference characters are applied which correspond to the last two digits of commercial designations for transistor transistor logic integrated circuits. Thus, for example, in FIG. 3 the ramp generator counter stages are given designations 93C, 93D and 93E, and suitable implementing circuitry would comprise mediumscale integration four-bit binary counters commercially available as circuit types SN 7493. Similarly, the input JK flip-flop designated 73-1 could be implemented as a circuit type SN 7473. The reference characters utilized in FIG. 1 have been repeated in FIGS. 3 through 10 where applicable so as to further facilitate a review of the detailed circuit. Also, reference characters in such as (1A) shown at the left in FIG. 3 indicate that the waveform of the corresponding figure number, i.e. FIG. 1A, would be supplied at the indicated circuit location.

In order to facilitate implementation of the specific illustrated circuit, should be desired, specific circuit values have been indicated for the components of the detailed circuit. In this respect, the notation K as applied to a resistor refers to a value of resistance in kilohms. Capacitance values are indicated by a decimal number are in microfarads in each case. Other values of capacitance are indicated using the notation pf, standing for microfarads or pf standing for picofarads (10' farads). Resistance values or less than 1 kilohm (1K) are indicated with the conventional symbol for ohms(fl).

FIG. 3

Referring to FIG. 3, at the upper left, the input index pulses are supplied to transistor Q303, driving a gate 00-1 (a circuit type SN 7400, for example). The output of this circuit via conductor 101 serves to reset the stages of the ramp generator 36, whereupon it begins counting encoder pulses as applied to input 102 at the left in FIG. 3. A digital to analog converter 104 of component- 36 generates the ramp output waveform of FIG. 113 at output conductor 105. A reset pulse is supplied to conductor 107 shown at the upper right in FIG. 3 from component 66, FIG. 1, and serves to reset pulse rate divider 68 (circuit type SN 7490, for example),

and counter stages 93A and 93B of horizontal deflection counter coverter component 70, shown at the lower right in FIG. 3. The component 70'includes a digital to analog converter 110 for driving horizontal deflection circuits 74 to produce the horizontal deflection waveform of FIG. 16 at conductor 111 leading to one of the horizontal deflection plates of cathode ray tube 60. When the counter stages 93A and 93B of component reach a count corresponding to the extent of the inspection zone of circuitry 50, FIG. 1, gate component 76 (for example a type SN 7430) will supply an output signal to its output line 112 leading to FIG. 6.

The vertical deflection signal from component 80, FIG. 1 is supplied to the vertical deflection plates of cathode ray tube 60 via

conductors

115 and 116 which originate in FIG. 6.

The circuit associated with transistor Q305 at the upper left of FIG. 3 controls circuitry in FIG. 6 via a conductor 120.

FIG. 5

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be observed that the waveform of FIG. 1B is supplied via line 105 to a minus input of a differential/operational amplifier 741C (circuit type SN 72741, for example). The plus input terminal of amplifier 741C is coupled with the movable contact 122 of a potentiometer 123 which is operated by the knob 40 and may be implemented as a ten turn, 2,000 ohm potentiometer for controlling the analog setting represented in FIG. 1C. Upon the matching of analog signal levels at the two inputs of the amplifiers 741C, an output signal termed Scope Trigger is supplied to conductor 125 leading to FIG. 6.

The output of amplitude selector 38 is also applied to a transistor 0306-1, whose output triggers a monostable circuit 130. The output of monostable in turn drives a series of gates so as to produce output pulses at

conductors

131, 132 and 133.

The circuit at the lower part of FIG. 5 involving transistor Q3071 may serve to double the encoder pulse rate so as to supply at output conductor 135 pulses at a rate of 20,000 per revolution of encoder 24, for example.

The monostable multivibrator 130 may comprise a type SN 74121, for example. The commercial data for this type of circuit indicates that for an applied voltage between five and 5.25 volts, pulse width is defined by the relationship p (out)=C R log 2. Jitter-free operation is said to be maintained over the full temperature range for more than six decades of timing capacitance (l0 pf to 10 pf) and more than one decade of timing resistance (2,000 ohms to 40,000 ohms). Thus, the circuit-parameters for R330 (16 kilohms) and C313 (22 microfarads) are assumed to give a time constant of roughly 255 milliseconds.

Since with this type of circuit, once the monostable has been triggered, the outputs are independent of further transitions on the input and are a function only of the timing components, monostable 130 will inherently adaptably regulate the number of cycles which can be initiated by the Scope Trigger, and is selected to reduce the number of error cycles of the error sensing circuitry at relatively high web speeds, while accommodating error correction operation for each 'repeat length of the web at somewhat lower speeds.

" R330 with a value of 30,000 ohms, and a capacitor corresponding to C313 again of 22 microfarads.

The monostable 130 of FIG. is part of the registration error sensing circuitry of component 50, and the connection between component 38 and the monostable circuit is indicated by conductor 140 in FIG. 5 and by line 140 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6

The Scope Trigger input 150 at the upper left in FIG. 6 corresponds to line 150 at the output of selector S1 in FIG. 1. The bistable 66 is triggered in response to the display control signals such as 43 and 44 in FIG. 1D, and the output from gate 01-2A which is applied to conductor 107 serves to reset the horizontal deflection counter converter component 70, FIGS. 1 and 3. The output of gate 01-1A, at this time, will be effective to enable gates 00-1B and 00-2B, providing the go down circuit associated with transistor 0305 at the top of FIG. 3 has not applied a ground potential to conductor 120. That is, if the web speed is below a selected minimum, the corresponding encoder pulse rate will be such as to enable charging of capacitor 152 at the top of FIG. 3, turning the transistor W305 at the top of FIG. 3 on, that is to the conducting condition, so as to apply ground potential to conductor 120. Thus at speeds of the web below the minimum speed, gates 00-18 and 00-2B in FIG. 6 will be blocked, and output lines 155 and 156 will be at ground potential to block transistor 0300 and 0302-1, thus preventing the appearance of vertical deflection signals at

output conductors

115 and 116 at the right in FIG. 6 in response to scanner signals occuring during the inspection zone. If the web speed is adequate for suitable operation of the display apparatus 60, then gates 00-18 and 00-23 will be enabled in response to the successive display control signals such as 43 and 44 in FIG. 1B so as to enable display of selected scanner signals during the inspection zone.

As indicated in the top center of FIG. 6, a display control switch 160 has three positions. In the indicated open circuit condition, scanner signals A1 and B2 are displayed in alternative cycles of the display apparatus so as to provide a resultant composite display as indicated in FIG. 2. If selector 160 is placed in the second position designated Ch2 in FIG. 6, then flip-flop 82 (which may be a circuit type SN 7473) is placed in an actuated condition in response to the first occurring clock pulse, and thereafter continuously enables the lower scanner channel involving transistor 0302-1. Similarly, if selector 160 is in the lower position, flipflop 82 is locked in the opposite (reset) state to enable transistor 0300.

Regardless of. the state of transistors 0300 and 0302-1, the scanner signals such as indicated at FIGS. 1E and IF are supplied via conductors 171 and 172 to the error sensing circuitry of FIG. 7. A socket is indicated at 174 forreceiving a scope probe useful in trouble shooting the circuitry and thelike. With a probe inserted in socket 174, signals from the probe are substituted for the usual scanner signals from the

scanners

19 and 20. I

FIG. 7

FIG. 7- illustrates channel scanner processing circuitry which forms part of component 50, FIG. 1, the pulse outputs at

conductors

181 and 182 being supplied to the circuitry of FIG. 8. It will be noted that flipflops 74A-1 and 74A-2 at the right in FIG. 7 must be reset from conductor 132 at the beginning of each inspection zone, or else the error sensing circuitry will be unable to carry an sensing cycle. Thus, at relatively high web speed, where a monostable circuit 130, FIG. 5, fails to respond to alternate scope trigger pulses, for example, scanner pulses will also be blocked during alternate potential inspection zones.

FIG. 8

In FIG. 8, the scanner signals arrive via

conductors

181 and 182 and are selectively routed by means of a three pole double throw switch 191 controlled by means of a shiftable contact 192. The condition of the switch 191 may be selected so that the leading scanner pulse, such as pulse A1 as seen in FIG. 2, will be transmitted to output 194 andthence to the offset counter comprising stages C and 90D. The offset counter as indicated has thumb wheel switches as indicated at 195 and 196 for selecting a desired count value between zero and 99 with respect to the double rate encoder pulses supplied via conductor from FIG. 5.

When the offset counter has completed the desired counting cycle, an output is supplied from comparator stages 42A and 42B via conductor 197, and this pulse serves to reset bistable circuit 198 and supply a delayed scanner pulse to output 199 of the switch 191. Accordingly bistable 200 will assume a final condition in accordance with any significant error in phase between the two scanner pulses and supply a corresponding polarity siganl to conductor 201 or conductor 202.

If polarity indicating conductor 201 is high, transistor 0507 will be enabled to allow energization of the relay coil designated REED 2. On the other hand, polarity indicating conductor 202 is high, then transistor 0508 will be enabled to permit energization of the actuating coil designated REED 1.

During the counting of encoder pulses to determin the error between the signals arriving at the respective inputs to flip-flop 200, the potential at conductor 210 at the extreme right in FIG. 8 will be high, turning on transistor 0504-1 at the upper left in FIG. 8. This in turn will turn on transistor 0505-1, and allow the discharge of capacitor 212. At the end of the inspection zone during proper operation, the potential conductor 210 will return to ground level, turning off transistors 0504-1 and 0505-1 and enabling the charging of capacitor 212. The charging circuit for capacitor 212 extends from supply line 214 to movable tap 215 of potentiometer P500, and to the upper plate of capacitor 212, and from the lower plate of capacitor 212 through resistor 216 and potentiometer P501 to ground. As the capacitor 212 pregressively charges, the potential of the plus input of amplifier RM311B progressively decreases. The extreme right hand conductor 220 in FIG. 8 reads from the error analog output of the error sensing circuitry and is applied to the minus input of amplifier LM311B. Thus, when capacitor 212 has charged sufficiently so that the potential at the upper input of LM311B matches the error signal at the lower input, and output pulse occurs at output line 221 (providing transistor 0504-1 is nonconducting so that

conductors

222 and 223 can approach supply potential. As capacitor 212 continues to charge, transistor 0506 is held on energizing the selected one of the coils REED 1 or REED 2, and this results in turn on of the error correction servo for a time interval substantially linearly proportional to the error count determined by the error sensing circuitry. The linearity of the digital to analog converter circuit associated with the error counter is compensated by the complementary nonlinearity of the capacitor charging circuit for capacitor 212, so that the resultant on time of the selected REED relay will be linearly proportional to error count within approximately ten percent, for example. Potentiometer P500 is adjust able to define the extent of a dead zone" within which small errors will not cause the actuation of the output circuitry. Potentiometer P501 serves as a gain adjustment for the error count of on time circuit.

Referring to the circuitry at the lower left in FIG. 8, monostable circuit 230 responds to substantial simultaneity at the

conductors

231 and 199 of switch 191 and supplies a corresponding control signal to output'conductor 232 leading to the circuitry of FIG. 9. Conductor 233 transmits the information with respect to the scanner phase to the circuitry of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9

As indicated at the upper left in FIG. 9, a reset signal is received from conductor 131 of FIG. in response to the Scope Trigger signal. The result is that the inspection zone of the sensing circuitry of FIG. 9 is synchronized with the active display cycle of the display apparatus as represented in FIG. 1G. Thus, the display apparatus will display the scanner signals which are actually effective within the error sensing circuitry of FIG. 9. In particular, the reset signal at conductor 131 at the upper left in FIG. 9 serves to reset the scan gate counter comprising stages 90E, 90F and 906 at the center left of FIG. 9. Similarly, the reset pulse of conductor 133 at the upper left serves to reset'the stages 90A and 90B of the error counter at the beginning of the inspection zone, or scan gate interval.

When the leading pulse such as pulse Al shown in FIG. 2 arrives via conductor 233 at the upper left of FIG. 9, the counter error counter stages 90A and 90B are enabled via conductor 250, and the error counter begins counting the double rate encoder pulses supplied at input 135. The digital to analog converter 252 serves to supply an analog error signal to conductor 220 leading to the output control circuit of FIG. 8 previously discussed. The error count is also supplied to component 47AB at the lower right in FIG. 9 and to transducer 254 so as to produce the digital error display in accordance with the registered error count. Transistor 255 of the display 54 is controlled from conductor 201 leading from the polarity sensing bistable 200 of FIG. 8. Thus, the correct polarity (plus or minus) is displayed in accordance with the time of arrival of the pulses at

conductors

199 and 231 in FIG. 8.

If the error sensing circuitry is operating properly and the second scanner signal arrives within the inspection zone, the output of gate 20-1 will supply a ground potential to conductor 210 at the end of the inspection zone, enabling the output circuit of FIG. 8 as previously described.

FIGS. 10 and 10A FIGS. 10 and 10A on sheet 5 of the drawings illustrate the output drive circuit which is indicated as being controlled by the relays REED 1, REED 2 and REED 3 of FIG. 8. Component 270 in FIG. 10 represents any suitable bidirectional output servo which may respond to alternating current energization applied between supply lines 271 and 272. With the energization of reed coil REED 1, alternating current potential may be supplied to conductor 274 in FIG. 10, while with the energization or reed relay coil REED 2, alternating current potential may be supplied to conductor 275.

FIG. 10A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of bidirectional output servo 270 comprising a pair of

rectifiers

281 and 282 controlling the polarity of energization of the armature winding of a direct current motor 283 having a permanent magnet field. The output of the motor as indicated by dash line 284 may be coupled to a web compensating device 285 so as to actuate the device in a direction tending to return the web to the desired longitudinal registration condition at the work station B indicated in FIG. 1.

Summary of Operation Thus, with the illustrated embodiment, an analog adjustment knob 40 shown at the upper center at FIG. 1 and at the left center of FIG. 5 is continuously adjustable, for example, through ten turns, to continuously vary the portion of a repeat length of the web which is displayed by means of the display apparatus 60. The portion displayed is advantageously keyed to the inspection zone or scanner gate interval defined by the sensing circuitry 50 shown at the lower right in FIG. 1. This inspection zone is defined by the count capacity of the scan gate counter stages 90E, 90F and 906 at the center left in FIG. 9. Where the scan gate interval corresponds to 500 encoder pulses, gate 76 shown at the center right of FIG. 1, may be coupled with the horizontal deflection counter to terminate a display cycle at a corresponding count of encoder pulses. In the specific circuitry indicated, the scan gate counter counts double rate encoder pulses, and the deflection counter of component indicated at the lower right in FIG. 3 is set to trigger gate 76 at a count of 248 (corresponding to 496 double rate encoder pulses). Thus, the display indicated in FIG. 2 would actually represent 496 double encoder pulses, but would still essentially correspond to the extent of the inspection zone or scan gate interval of the registration error sensing circuitry of component 50 shown at the lower right in FIG. 1.

Of course, if switch 72 shown in the center of FIG. 1 is shited to the lower portion, then the encoder pulse rate may be divided be a factor such as 20 prior to being supplied to the horizontal deflection counter of component 70, and gate 76 may not terminate a display cycle unit] a count of 9,920 encoder pulses (corresponding to 19,840 double rate encoder pulses).

With the aid of the display apparatus 60, the control 40 may be manipulated until stable scanner pulses appear on the display as represented in FIG. 2. Since the display apparatus is locked to web movement, stable scanner pulses occurring in response to uniform marks in the successive repeat lengths of the web will be readily apparent, while unstable marks can be avoided and spurious markings are readily excluded from the inspection zone.

It should be noted that the control knob 40 is convenient and economical method of adjusting the phase of the inspection zone with respect to a repeat length on the web, irrespective of whether the control also effects a corresponding adjustment with respect to an inspection zone display.

While a cathode tube is a convenient type of display and relatively economical at the present time, it will be understood that other types of displays having acyclical reference displacement axis and a display signal axis can be readily substituted for the particular device illustrated herein by way of example.

It will be apparent that many further modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

' 1. A display system for use with equipment involving coordinated mechanical movements during the operation thereof, comprising,

an encoder for coupling with mechanical movement in the equipment and operable for generating encoder pulses as a function of successive uniform increments of the mechanical movement coupled thereto,

display apparatus having a visual display and having a first scanning control input for producing scanning along a first coordinate axis in successive scanning cycles of the display and having a second scanning control input for producing display of input signals with respect to a second coordinate axis of the display,

a cyclically operable deflection counter converter connected with said encoder and operable for cyclically generating a first deflection signal as a function of the mechanical movement coupled to the encoder, and connected with said first scanning control input of said display apparatus and operable in response to an actuating signal for supplying said first deflection signal thereto to control a scanning cycle of said display apparatus,

input signal means responsive to mechanical movement to be coordinated with the mechanical movement coupled to said encoder to produce cyclically occurring input signals and connected with said second scanning control input to supply said input signals thereto,

a cyclically operable ramp generator connected with said encoder and responsive to successive encoder pulses from said encoder to produce a ramp output incrementally changing in amplitude over a given amplitude range in each cycle of operation, and

an amplitude selector progressively adjustable to any selected amplitude setting corresponding to any of the amplitudes of said ramp output within said amplitude range and operable to generate an actuating signal in each cycle of operation of the ramp generator when the amplitude of the ramp output reaches the selected amplitude setting, and connected with said deflection counter converter to supply said actuating signal thereto and thus to initiate the successive scanning cycles of said display apparatus in accordance with the selected amplitude setting of said amplitude selector.

2. A display system in accordance with claim 1 with said ramp generator having a cycle of operation corresponding to a predetermined number of encoder pulses representing mechanical movement corresponding to a repeat length of a moving material being acted upon by the equipment, and

said deflection counter converter being operable to produce full deflection of the display apparatus in response to a lesser number of encoder pulses 6 which lesser number is only a fraction of said predetermined number of encoder pulses, thereby to enable full deflection visual display on input signals with respect to any selected portion of successive repeat lengths of the moving material.

3. A display system in accordance with claim 2 with a pulse rate divider selectively connectable in circuit between said encoder and said deflection counter converter to provide for full deflection of said display apparatus in response to said predetermined number of encoder pulses, thereby to selectively visually display input signals occurring with respect to substantially a complete repeat length of the moving material.

4. A display system in accordance with claim 1 with said counter converter having a bistable display control coupled to said amplitude selector for actuation by said actuating signal to an active condition to initiate a cycle of operation of said counter converter and for actuation to an inactive condition when the counter converter has completed its cycle of operation, said input signal means having a pair of controllable input signal circuits for selectively transmitting respective input signals to the second scanning control input of said display apparatus, an da toggle circuit connected with said bistable display control for actuation to alternate states in alternate cycles of said counter converter, and controlling said input signal circuits to provide for the alternate activation of said pair of input signal circuits and thereby to enable the super position at said visual display of the respective input signals transmitted by the respective input signal circuits.

5. A display system in accordance with claim 1 with respective amplitude selectors for association with respective stations along a path of movement through the equipment, and selector switches for selectively connecting the respective amplitude selectors in circuit with said ramp generator and said first scanning control input, and for simultaneously supplying input signals from the respective corresponding stations to said second scanning control input.

6. In a register error sensing system for sensing errors in register between successive repeat lengths of a mov ing web and successive work stations operatively disposed along the path of the web, said system comprisan encoder responsive to web movement and operable for generating encoder pulses as a function of successive uniform increments of such movement,

an index generator operable to issue an index pulse each time the web moves a distance corresponding to a repeat length thereof and thereby to define successive cycles of operation relative to said web movement,

register error sensing circuitry responsive to an initiating signal in said successive cycles of operation to define a set point representing a registration condition between the web and one of said stations and operable in response to a scanner signal from such station to generate an error signal as a function of any departure from the desired register condition as defined by said set point,

a cyclically operable pulse responsive generator connected with said encoder and with said index generator and responsive to the successive index pulses to initiate successive generating cycles, and operable in response to said encoder pulses in each generating cycle to generate an analog signal successively changing in an analog characteristic thereof over a given range of analog values, and

an analog selector circuit progressively adjustable to any selected analog setting corresponding to any of the analog values of said analog characteristic within said given range and responsive to a matching relationship in said analog characteristic between said successively changing analog signal and said selected analog setting of said selector circuit for generating said initiating signal and connected

Claims

1. A display system for use with equipment involving coordinated mechanical movements during the operation thereof, comprising, an encoder for coupling with mechanical movement in the equipment and operable for generating encoder pulses as a function of successive uniform increments of the mechanical movement coupled thereto, display apparatus having a visual display and having a first scanning control input for producing scanning along a first coordinate axis in successive scanning cycles of the display and having a second scanning control input for producing displAy of input signals with respect to a second coordinate axis of the display, a cyclically operable deflection counter converter connected with said encoder and operable for cyclically generating a first deflection signal as a function of the mechanical movement coupled to the encoder, and connected with said first scanning control input of said display apparatus and operable in response to an actuating signal for supplying said first deflection signal thereto to control a scanning cycle of said display apparatus, input signal means responsive to mechanical movement to be coordinated with the mechanical movement coupled to said encoder to produce cyclically occurring input signals and connected with said second scanning control input to supply said input signals thereto, a cyclically operable ramp generator connected with said encoder and responsive to successive encoder pulses from said encoder to produce a ramp output incrementally changing in amplitude over a given amplitude range in each cycle of operation, and an amplitude selector progressively adjustable to any selected amplitude setting corresponding to any of the amplitudes of said ramp output within said amplitude range and operable to generate an actuating signal in each cycle of operation of the ramp generator when the amplitude of the ramp output reaches the selected amplitude setting, and connected with said deflection counter converter to supply said actuating signal thereto and thus to initiate the successive scanning cycles of said display apparatus in accordance with the selected amplitude setting of said amplitude selector.

2. A display system in accordance with claim 1 with said ramp generator having a cycle of operation corresponding to a predetermined number of encoder pulses representing mechanical movement corresponding to a repeat length of a moving material being acted upon by the equipment, and said deflection counter converter being operable to produce full deflection of the display apparatus in response to a lesser number of encoder pulses which lesser number is only a fraction of said predetermined number of encoder pulses, thereby to enable full deflection visual display on input signals with respect to any selected portion of successive repeat lengths of the moving material.

4. A display system in accordance with claim 1 with said counter converter having a bistable display control coupled to said amplitude selector for actuation by said actuating signal to an active condition to initiate a cycle of operation of said counter converter and for actuation to an inactive condition when the counter converter has completed its cycle of operation, said input signal means having a pair of controllable input signal circuits for selectively transmitting respective input signals to the second scanning control input of said display apparatus, and a toggle circuit connected with said bistable display control for actuation to alternate states in alternate cycles of said counter converter, and controlling said input signal circuits to provide for the alternate activation of said pair of input signal circuits and thereby to enable the super position at said visual display of the respective input signals transmitted by the respective input signal circuits.

6. In a register error sensing system for sensing errors in register between successive repeat lengths of a moving web and successive work stations operatively disposed along the path of the web, said system comprising: an encoder responsive to web movement and operable for generating encoder pulses as a function of successive uniform increments of such movement, an index generator operable to issue an index pulse each time the web moves a distance corresponding to a repeat length thereof and thereby to define successive cycles of operation relative to said web movement, register error sensing circuitry responsive to an initiating signal in said successive cycles of operation to define a set point representing a registration condition between the web and one of said stations and operable in response to a scanner signal from such station to generate an error signal as a function of any departure from the desired register condition as defined by said set point, a cyclically operable pulse responsive generator connected with said encoder and with said index generator and responsive to the successive index pulses to initiate successive generating cycles, and operable in response to said encoder pulses in each generating cycle to generate an analog signal successively changing in an analog characteristic thereof over a given range of analog values, and an analog selector circuit progressively adjustable to any selected analog setting corresponding to any of the analog values of said analog characteristic within said given range and responsive to a matching relationship in said analog characteristic between said successively changing analog signal and said selected analog setting of said selector circuit for generating said initiating signal and connected with said register error sensing circuitry for supplying said initiating signal thereto, whereby the set point for said register error sensing circuitry is progressively adjustable to establish the desired set point relative to said successive cycles of operation.